Kerala now Keralam: Centre gives nod for name change; Shashi Tharoor quips, ‘Keralamite, Keralamian’?
Times of India
by TOI NEWS DESKFebruary 24, 2026
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The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal to rename the Indian state of Kerala as 'Keralam.' This decision follows a unanimous resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly on June 24, 2024, which urged the Centre to amend the Constitution's First Schedule to reflect the new name. The move has sparked linguistic debates, with senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor humorously pondering how English speakers would refer to residents of the state in the future, joking about terms like 'Keralamite' and 'Keralamian.'
The resolution was first passed in August 2023 but faced technical challenges from the Ministry of Home Affairs, leading to its reintroduction and eventual approval. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted that the name 'Keralam' is historically significant as it reflects the state's identity among Malayalam-speaking communities dating back to the freedom struggle. The renaming process will involve amending Article 3 of the Constitution and updating the state's name in all official languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
The decision has been met with mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a step toward preserving cultural heritage and aligning the state's identity with its historical roots. However, others have raised concerns about the practical implications of renaming institutions, documents, and official records. The move is seen as an attempt to boost regional pride and unity ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in April-May 2024.
From a global perspective, this name change reflects India's intricate political dynamics and its commitment to preserving regional identities within a unified national framework
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/24/2026