Kerala Assembly Passes Fresh Resolution To Rename State As 'Keralam', Centre's Nod Next Step

A similar resolution was unanimously passed in August last year and sent to the Centre, but it couldn't move ahead due to a technical objection.

A new resolution was passed by the Kerala assembly to rename the state as 'Keralam'. ( Image Source :IANS )

The Treasury and Opposition benches of the Kerala assembly on Monday unanimously passed a new resolution to change the state's name to 'Keralam'. The resolution, proposed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, will now be sent to the Centre for approval.

According to IANS, a similar resolution was unanimously passed in August last year and sent to the Centre, with a request for "immediate steps” to amend the state's name under Article 3 of the Constitution, which addresses the formation of states and any changes to their areas, boundaries, or names.

However, the resolution couldn't move ahead due to a technical objection. Considering this, the assembly decided to pass a new resolution on Monday.

According to the New Indian Express, the resolution passed on August 9 last year urged the Centre to change the name of the state to 'Keralam' under the First Schedule of the Constitution (list of states). The resolution also meant to seek that the new name be used in all languages of the Eighth Schedule (list of official languages).

It was because of issues regarding the resolution's wording on the second demand that it was revised, CM Pinarayi Vijayan said.

In his resolution, the chief minister emphasised that 'Keralam' is the commonly used name in Malayalam, while the official records refer to the state as 'Kerala'.