Kerala to Become Keralam: A Name, An Identity, A Historic Moment

The Union Cabinet led by Prime minister Narendra Modi, recently approved the proposal or an official plan for renaming the state of “Kerala” as “Keralam”. This may look like a small spelling change but actually it is more connected to both politically and emotionally. This is not done suddenly many things have arrived and in the past we are getting these to know. The journey begins in August 2023. In August 2023, when the Kerala legislative assembly which is the elected law making body of the state passed a unanimous resolution which means a formal decision agreed upon all the members were demanding this name change. Followed this, in June 2024 while the Union Home minister suggested few technical corrections regarding this matter. Now, finally during its first meeting at the new Prime Minister's Office complex which is known as Seva Teerth in Delhi the Union Cabinet in February 2026 gave formal approval. But this was not only the final. After this under article 3 of the constitution the process father enters as a constitutional stage means a legal approval face. For its formal reviews the President of India will further refer back Kerala Bill 2026 to the Kerala Assembly. Hence, timing matters and with Assembly elections expected in April to May 2026 opposition voices question whether symbolic politics means focusing on the identity issues is overshadowing the substance of development means the real economic and social progress. Therefore, it is observed that this name change is not simply a mere name plate change rather it is reflecting a state's language history politics and emotion reflecting in Indian federalism.