RESOLUTION RENAMING KERALA TO KERALAM

Why in the news?

  • The Kerala Assembly unanimously passed a resolution to propose a Constitutional amendment to rename the State ‘Keralam’.
  • The resolution, moved by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, aims to invoke Article 3 of the Constitution to change the name in the First Schedule.
Source: India Times

About Kerala to Keralam:

Origin of Kerala

  • The name ‘Kerala’ is mentioned in emperor Asoka’s Rock Edict II of 257 BC.
  • The inscription refers to the local ruler as Keralaputra, meaning “son of Kerala” or “son of Chera” (Chera dynasty).

Origin of Keralam

  • Scholars believe ‘Keralam’ could derive from ‘Cheram’.
  • ‘Keram’ is the Canarese (Kannada) form of ‘cheram’.
  • Described as the region between Gokarnam and Kanyakumari.

    ‘Cheralam’ combines ‘cher’ (to join) and ‘alam’ (region).

Constitutional Provision

  • Parliament can change a state’s name under Article 3.
  • Article 3 outlines the procedure to alter a state’s area, boundaries, or name.

Proposal Process

  • Renaming can be initiated by Parliament or the state assembly.
  • The state legislature sends a resolution proposal to the Central government.
  • In Parliament, the bill requires a recommendation from the President before presentation