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News Excerpt:

The Kerala state assembly has unanimously passed a resolution urging the central government to amend the Constitution to change the state's name from 'Kerala' to 'Keralam.'

More about the news:

• This resolution marks the second attempt, following a review by the union home ministry which suggested minor changes to the initial proposal.
• The Chief Minister of Kerala moved the resolution and called for measures under Article 3 of the Constitution to rename the state to 'Keralam' in the First Schedule.
• He emphasized that 'Keralam' is the term used in Malayalam and has been a longstanding demand of the Malayalam-speaking community since the national freedom struggle.

Mechanism Involved in State Name Change:

1. State Assembly Resolution: 

• The first step is for the state assembly to pass a resolution requesting the name change. 
• In Kerala's case, this resolution was passed unanimously, reflecting the collective will of the state legislature.
• However, if the center starts the procedure of renaming the state on the recommendation of the president, state assent or rejection is not binding for the center.

2. Central Government Review: 

• Once the resolution is passed, it is sent to the central government for review.
• The Union Home Ministry examines the proposal and suggests any necessary changes.
• In this instance, minor changes were suggested and incorporated into the new resolution.

3. Constitutional Amendment: 

• To officially change the state's name, an amendment to the First Schedule of the Constitution is required, which lists the names of all states and union territories.

• This amendment must be passed by both houses of Parliament by a simple majority.

• The proposed change must also be approved by the President of India.

4. Implementation: 

• After the amendment is passed and receives presidential assent, the name change is officially recognized and updated in all official documents and records.
• This includes updates in all languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, although in this specific case, it was found that the amendment was only required in the First Schedule.

Background and Significance:

• 'Keralam' is commonly used in Malayalam, official records still refer to the state as 'Kerala.' 
• The resolution aims to address this discrepancy and honor the cultural and linguistic heritage of the state. 
• The demand for a unified Kerala for Malayalam-speaking communities has been prominent since the national freedom struggle, and this name change is seen as a step towards recognizing that historical aspiration.
• The resolution was initially passed on August 9 last year, seeking to have the state's name changed in all languages under the Eighth Schedule.
• However, upon detailed verification, it was found that the amendment was required only in the First Schedule, leading to the new resolution being brought forward.

Conclusion:

With this unanimous resolution, Kerala's state assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving and promoting its linguistic and cultural identity. The next steps will involve the central government's approval and the necessary constitutional amendments to officially recognize 'Keralam' as the state's name.