Shashi Tharoor targets Centre over Kerala renaming, questions development push
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has criticised the Union government over its decision to rename Kerala as “Keralam.” He said the Centre focuses on symbolism instead of development. He argued that people expect projects, not cosmetic change
Tharoor spoke in New Delhi soon after the Union Cabinet cleared the proposal. The Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the move earlier this week. The decision came months before Kerala heads into Assembly elections. The state will elect 140 legislators before May. However, the Election Commission of India has not yet announced polling dates.
Tharoor questioned the need for the change. He pointed out that people already call the state “Keralam” in Malayalam. He said the move only shifts a Malayalam word into English usage. He asked what practical difference it makes. He then shifted focus to development concerns.
He said the Centre has not sanctioned major national institutions for Kerala. He mentioned the absence of an AIIMS. He also referred to the Union Budget. According to him, the Budget did not allocate major new projects for the state. Therefore, he argued that the Centre shows more urgency on renaming than on infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Tharoor raised a linguistic query on social media platform X. He asked what residents would be called if the name changes to Keralam. He noted that “Keralite” and “Keralan” currently describe people from the state. He joked that “Keralamite” sounds like a microbe. He added that “Keralamian” resembles the name of a rare mineral. Through satire, he underlined his broader criticism.
The debate traces back to a resolution that the Kerala Assembly passed earlier. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan moved that resolution in 2024. He urged the Union government to adopt “Keralam” in all languages listed in the Constitution’s Eighth Schedule. He argued that the name reflects the state’s cultural identity. He linked the demand to the historic movement for a unified Malayalam-speaking region during the freedom struggle.
Supporters of the change say the name aligns official records with local usage. They believe “Keralam” better represents linguistic heritage. However, critics question the timing. They note that the approval comes close to elections. They argue that political messaging may shape the move.
Kerala has witnessed name debates before. States such as Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta changed names to Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata to reflect local languages. Proponents often frame such steps as cultural corrections. Opponents often seek development priorities first.
In this case, Tharoor has chosen to spotlight economic concerns. He insists that voters care about jobs, healthcare, and infrastructure. He suggests that the Centre should deliver tangible outcomes. He frames the renaming as secondary.
As election season approaches, the issue may gain traction in political campaigns. The ruling Left Democratic Front may defend the cultural logic. The Congress may continue to question priorities. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party may present the approval as respect for regional identity.
For now, the Centre has cleared the proposal. The state awaits formal implementation steps. The larger political debate continues.
