Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the Kerala Assembly passed a resolution in 2024, urging the Centre to bring a law to change the name
of the state to Keralam. "The bill provides that the State of Kerala will be known as the State of Keralam, and hence there is a proposal to rename the State of Kerala to Keralam," he said. The Kerala government had forwarded a resolution passed by the state assembly regarding the name change to the Centre in June 2024. Subsequently, the President of India referred a Bill to the state legislature for expressing its views, and later, the state assembly adopted a unanimous resolution agreeing with the Bill. The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill provides for such alteration of the name of Kerala and contains necessary amendments to the provisions of the Constitution and also consequential provisions, according to the Bill's statement of objects and reasons. Amendments will be made in the First Schedule to the Constitution by modifying the name of Kerala as Keralam in accordance with Article 3 of the Constitution. Rai said it is the resolution of the Prime Minister to remove all symbols of slavery, names, signs, flags of institutions, or statues of great personalities that repeatedly wound the hearts of Indians and establish all things, signs, or works that represent the pride of India's heritage. Replying to the debate, Rai said the proposal to change the name of the state from Kerala to Keralam is not only a matter of pride for the people of Kerala but also for all Indians. When we speak of "One India, Best India", we celebrate the country's rich diversity of languages, cultures, traditions, and art forms. Though these may appear different, together they reflect the spirit of a united India. During his reply, Rai also mentioned the issue of action taken by the Kerala government against teachers over a controversial answer in a quiz questionnaire that described Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar as the freedom fighter "who received the maximum punishment at the hands of the British". "Veer Savarkar is the name of dedication and sacrifice. Veer Savarkar is the name of firm determination. If a teacher is dismissed for asking questions about him, there can be nothing worse than that, and it is an insult to our freedom fighters. Therefore, that subject is very painful," Rai said.
