The resolution calls for urgent action from the Central government under Article 3 of the Constitution to amend the First Schedule and change the name to “Keralam.”
KERALA: On Monday (24th June): The Kerala State Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Central Government to officially change the state’s name to “Keralam,” as it is used in Malayalam.
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The resolution highlights that the demand for a unified state for Malayalam speakers has been prominent since the Indian freedom struggle.
However, the state’s name is listed as “Kerala” in the First Schedule of the Constitution of India.
The resolution calls for urgent action from the Central government under Article 3 of the Constitution to amend the First Schedule and change the name to “Keralam.”
Additionally, it seeks to have the name “Keralam” used in all the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
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This marks the second time the assembly has passed such a resolution. The first resolution was returned by the Central government with suggestions for technical modifications.
On June 24, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan moved the current resolution, which was unanimously approved by the assembly.
The Constitution of India gives the parliament power to alter the name of a state under Article 3 of the Constitution, explicitly lays down a procedure to alter the area, boundaries, or name of a state. The procedure to be followed for changing the name of a state is:
The Parliament or State Legislative Assembly may present a bill for such alterations. In Parliament, the bill can not be presented without a recommendation from the President.
States which are going to get affected by such changes, the legislation of that state must be presented with the bill. The State Legislature may present its views on the bill within the prescribed time period. The views or suggestions of the State Legislature are not enforceable against the President or The Parliament.
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After receiving the suggestions of the State Legislative Assembly or after the expiration of the limited time period the bill goes back to the Parliament. Then the bill gets further deliberated upon in the Parliament.
The bill like any ordinary bill must be passed with a simple majority of 50%+1 vote. The bill is next sent for ratification to the President.
After the approval is given by the President. He shall sign the bill and the bill will become an Act. The Act will be enforced and the name of the state will be changed for good.
