Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: IE
Context: The Kerala Assembly has passed a resolution to rename the state as “Keralam” in both the Constitution and official records.
While the state has been referred to as “Kerala” in English, the name in Malayalam is “Keralam.” The resolution aims to align the English and Malayalam names.
The term ‘Kerala’ has its origins in ancient texts, and ‘Keralam’ is considered a closer reflection of the original Malayalam pronunciation.
Historical Connections:
- Asoka’s Rock Edict: The earliest historical reference to the region is in Emperor Ashoka’s Rock Edict II of 257 BC, where the local ruler is mentioned as “Keralaputra,” meaning “son of Kerala” or “son of Chera,” referring to the Chera dynasty.
- Unity of Malayalam-Speaking People: The demand for a united territory for all Malayalam-speaking communities gained momentum during the Aikya Kerala movement in the 1920s. This movement aimed to integrate the regions of Malabar, Kochi, and Travancore into a single territory.
Linguistic Connections:
- Origin from ‘Cheram’: Scholars believe that the term ‘Keralam’ might have originated from the word ‘Cheram’.
- Dr Herman Gundert, a German scholar who created the first Malayalam-English dictionary, noted that ‘keram’ is the Kannada form of ‘cheram.’ He described ‘Keralam’ as ‘Cheram,’ referring to the region between Gokarnam and Kanyakumari.
- ‘Cheralam’ signifies a region where ‘cher’ means to join, highlighting the unification of diverse areas.
- Keralam vs. Kerala Pronunciation: ‘Keralam’ is considered to be a closer phonetic representation of the original Malayalam pronunciation. While the English version ‘Kerala’ was adopted for ease of pronunciation and writing, ‘Keralam’ maintains linguistic authenticity in Malayalam.
Significance: The move to rename the state as ‘Keralam’ aligns more closely with the native pronunciation, historical roots, and cultural identity of the region’s people.
To rename a state in India, the following process is followed:
- State Government Proposal: The state government drafts a resolution expressing the desire to change the name of the state.
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Approval: Since changing the name of a state involves altering the Constitution, approval from the MHA is required.
- No Objection Certificates (NOCs): The MHA seeks No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from various central government agencies such as the Ministry of Railways, Intelligence Bureau, Department of Posts, etc.
- Constitutional Amendment: If the MHA finds the proposal acceptable and all the necessary NOCs are obtained, a Constitutional amendment is initiated.
- Bill in Parliament: The Bill goes through the usual legislative process in both the Lok Sabha (Lower House) and the Rajya Sabha (Upper House). The Bill requires a simple majority to be passed.
- President’s Assent: Once the President gives his assent, the Bill becomes law.
- Implementation: With the President’s assent, the name change becomes official and is implemented.
