THIRUVANANTHAPURAM — The map of India is set for a historic textual update as the Union Cabinet officially greenlit the proposal to rename the state of Kerala to “Keralam.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi characterized the move as a tribute to the state’s cultural heritage, marking a transition from a colonial-era moniker to a name that resonates with the native tongue.

The “Coconut Land” Connection

The shift is far more than a phonetic tweak; it is a return to linguistic roots. In Malayalam, the state has always been called Keralam. The name is a fusion of two words: “Kera” (coconut tree) and “Alam” (land or abode).

For decades, a linguistic disconnect existed: while the people lived in “Keralam,” the Constitution and official English gazettes recognized them as “Kerala.” The state assembly has been pushing for this synchronization since 2024, arguing that a state’s official identity should mirror the language of its people.

Article 3: The Center’s Supreme Power

While the request originated in the Thiruvananthapuram assembly, the power to execute the change resides entirely in New Delhi. Under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament holds the ultimate authority to:

• Rename any state.
• Alter geographical boundaries.
• Divide or merge states to form new entities.

The process is a unique display of India’s “indestructible union of destructible states.” The President must refer the proposal to the state legislature for their “views,” but the Parliament is not legally bound by the state’s response. In this instance, since the Kerala government itself initiated the request, the transition is expected to be seamless.

The Article 4 Shortcut

Interestingly, renaming a state does not require a complex Constitutional Amendment. Under Article 4, such changes can be passed with a simple majority in both houses of Parliament. Once passed, the First Schedule of the Constitution—the list of all states and territories—will be updated, officially replacing “Kerala” with “Keralam.”

Beyond the Name: Politics and Pride

Critics and supporters alike note the timing of the move. With regional elections on the horizon, “linguistic pride” has become a potent political tool. By championing the name change, the government taps into “sub-nationalism,” a strategy seen across India.

Kerala follows a long line of states seeking to shed anglicized names—West Bengal has notably been lobbying to become “Bangla” for years. From the 1956 States Reorganisation Act to the 2014 creation of Telangana and the 2019 reorganization of Jammu & Kashmir, India’s internal borders and names remain a work in progress.

Bottom Line

The transition to Keralam signifies a broader trend of reclaiming indigenous identity. While the administrative cost of updating signs, stamps, and documents will be significant, for the millions who call the “Land of Coconuts” home, the change is a long-overdue recognition of their language on the national stage.