RESOLUTION OF KERALAM (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Kerala Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Centre to rename the state as "Keralam" in the Constitution. This marks the second time in the past year that such a resolution has been passed.

Resolution of Keralam

• Keralam: Kerala is the English word for the Malyali Keralam. There are several theories regarding its etymological roots. The earliest mention of the word can be found in Emperor Ashoka’s Rock Edict II, dated to 257 BCE.

oKeralaputra, literally “son of Kerala” in Sanskrit, refers to the dynasty of the Cheras, one of the three main kingdoms of southern India.

• Name in Malayalam: The name of the state in Malayalam is Keralam.
• Previous Resolution: It sought amendments to the First Schedule of the Constitution (list of various states).

oIt also meant to seek an amendment to the Eighth Schedule (list of official languages).

Article 3 in Constitution of India

• About: Formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing States

oParliament may by law-

üForm a new State by separation of territory from any State or by uniting two or more States or parts of States or by uniting any territory to a part of any State;

üincrease the area of any State;

üdiminish the area of any State;

üalter the boundaries of any State;

üalter the name of any State;

• Article provides for two conditions: The Bill proposing changes cannot be introduced in Parliament without the President's prior recommendation.

oThe President must refer the Bill to the concerned State Legislature for their views within a specified period.

oThe President is not obligated to follow the views expressed by the State Legislature.

oHowever, this requirement does not apply to Union territories, where no such reference to the Legislature is necessary.

• 5th Amendment, 1955: It empowered the President to prescribe a time limit for a State Legislature to convey its views on proposed Central laws relating to the formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing States.