Union Cabinet Approves Proposal to Rename Kerala as Keralam
Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam, reflecting the state’s traditional and linguistically accurate name in Malayalam. The move comes after a long-standing demand from the state government, which argued that “Keralam” better represents the cultural and historical identity of the region. While the Cabinet’s approval marks a significant step forward, the name change will take effect only after it goes through the constitutional process laid down under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, requiring approval from Parliament.
Constitutional Process for Changing a State's Name: The Case of Kerala Introduction
The recent approval by the Union Cabinet to rename the state of Kerala to Keralam, a name considered linguistically accurate in Malayalam, brings to light the intricate constitutional procedures governing such changes in India. This development underscores Parliament's ultimate authority in matters concerning the territorial integrity and identity of states.
Constitutional Authority for Altering States
A state government does not possess the power to independently change its own name, modify its boundaries, or alter its status. This exclusive authority is vested solely in the Parliament of India as outlined under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution.
Parliament's extensive power under Article 3 allows it to:
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Change the name of any state.
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Alter the boundaries of an existing state.
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Divide a state to facilitate the formation of new states (for instance, Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated to create Andhra Pradesh and Telangana).
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Convert a state into Union Territories (as seen with the reorganization of Jammu & Kashmir into two Union Territories).
Step-by-Step Procedure for Changing State's Name
The process for altering a state's name is a carefully structured sequence of steps mandated by the Constitution:
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Presidential Recommendation: The initiation of this process requires a bill to be introduced in either house of Parliament (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha). This bill can only be presented with the prior recommendation of the President of India.
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Referral to the State Legislature: Before the President grants a recommendation for the bill, it is mandatory to refer the proposed legislation to the legislature of the concerned state. This allows the state legislature to express its views on the proposed change within a specified timeframe.
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State Legislature's View (Non-Binding): The state legislature has the option to either approve (agree) or disapprove (disagree) of the proposed name change.
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It is crucial to understand that the opinion or view expressed by the state legislature is NOT binding on the Parliament.
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Regardless of whether the state legislature agrees or disagrees with the proposed change, the Parliament retains the right to proceed with the bill. (Memory Tip: Think of this as Parliament saying, "Whether you say yes or no, I don't care," emphasizing the Union's ultimate authority.)
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Passage in Parliament: Following the stipulated referral period and consideration of the state's views (if any), the bill is then introduced in Parliament. For the bill to become law, it must be passed in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha by a simple majority.
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Presidential Assent: Once the bill successfully passes through both houses of Parliament, it is then sent to the President for assent. The President's signature officially transforms the bill into an Act of Parliament.
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Official Change & Schedule Amendment: With the enactment of the new law, the state's name is officially changed. Concurrently, a necessary amendment is made to Schedule 1 of the Constitution. This schedule enumerates all the states and union territories, and it is updated to reflect the new official name, in this instance, from 'Kerala' to 'Keralam'.
Rationale for Parliament's Supreme Power
This constitutional framework deliberately grants Parliament more power than state legislatures when it comes to fundamental matters concerning the existence and identity of states. This design is rooted in the historical context of India's post-partition era. The framers of the Constitution aimed to prevent any potential secessionist movements or further fragmentation of the country. By entrusting the ultimate authority to alter state boundaries and names to the Union Parliament, the Constitution ensures the enduring integrity and unity of the nation.