Keralam: The God’s Own Country is finally renamed! After a wait of two years, the Union Government has approved renaming of Kerala to Keralam (കേരളം in Malayalam script) in official records.
The state of Kerala is likely to go to assembly polls in the month of May 2026.
Keralam-Passing Of The Name Change Resolution
In 2024, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan moved the resolution for the state’s name change. A request was made to make the alteration in all languages included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
The state assembly passed the resolution for the second consecutive time as some technical changes were recommended by the Union Home Ministry.
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It was reiterated by Vijayan that the state was referred to ‘Keralam’ in Malyalam. The CM remarked that there have been longstanding demands for the formation of a United Kerala for the communities speaking the Malayalam language.
BJP Kerala President Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the Bharatiya Janata Party and the National Democratic Alliance would do many good things in the state of Keralam and this is just the start. Chandrasekhar added that it is our responsibility as the BJP and as every Malayali to reclaim and protect the heritage, history, culture and traditions of our proud Keralam.
The Ministry of Home Affairs approved the name change on February 2 this year, notifying gazettes and directing updates to passports, maps and even Google Maps. CM Vijayan hailed the decision as a “historic reclamation of identity,” remarking that “Keralam is not just a name, it’s the soul of Malayali pride.”
Political Reasons For The Name Change-Who Will Benefit How?
The name change of Kerala to Keralam would be one opportunity that CM Vijayan and his party would like to take entire credit of. According to recent data, the LDF is trailing the Congress-led UDF after 10 years in power, plagued by scandals like the 2021 Thrissur Pooram fiasco and SFI violence. The name change development would position CM Vijayan as a regional champion.
The Centre swiftly approved the proposal for name change. This would help clean Modi’s “cooperative federalism” image. The development could help the BJP peel off Hindu votes from disillusioned Congress. Moreover, the word “Keralam” echoes Sanskrit roots.
The biggest headache of this development belongs to UDF. If it opposes it, it would be termed anti-Malyali. Leader V.D. Satheesan termed the name change development as a mere gimmick to distract the people from floods and unemployment.
