A unanimous resolution was passed by the Kerala Assembly on June 24, 2024, seeking the name change. The resolution, introduced by the former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, highlighted that the State’s name in Malayalam is ‘Keralam’ and that the official name should reflect its linguistic and cultural identity. The Kerala Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (July 1, 2026) unanimously endorsed the President’s reference on the proposal to officially rename the State from Kerala to ‘Keralam.’The House considered the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, which was referred by the President to seek its opinion. The legislators unanimously endorsed all queries raised by the President on the Bill’s 10 clauses, including approval of its title and its provisions.With no objections from any member, the Assembly recorded its unanimous consent on each of the points read out by Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.Describing it as a “historic moment,” the Speaker said this was the first time a Presidential reference has been sent to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for its opinion.The Bill, which received the Union Cabinet’s approval in February 2026, will next be introduced in Parliament. Once passed by Parliament and notified, the State’s official name will be changed from Kerala to Keralam.Resolution in June, 2024The developments follow a unanimous resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly on June 24, 2024, seeking the name change. The resolution, introduced by the former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, highlighted that the State’s name in Malayalam is ‘Keralam’ and that the official name should reflect its linguistic and cultural identity.The resolution pointed out that States were reorganised on linguistic lines on November 1, 1956, and that Kerala Piravi is observed on the same date. It also recalled that the demand for a united Malayalam-speaking State had been a longstanding aspiration that dated back to the Independence movement.Noting that the First Schedule of the Constitution recorded the State’s name as ‘Kerala,’ the Assembly had urged the Union government to adopt steps under Article 3 of the Constitution to officially rename the State as ‘Keralam.’ Published - July 01, 2026 04:11 pm IST
The resolution states that the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2026, would plunge voluntary organisations functioning in the country into a crisis. | ”Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan moved the resolution which stated that the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2026, would plunge voluntary organisations functioning in the country into a crisis.The resolution was later put to a vote and passed in the House, with 111 members voting in favour and two against.The Opposition CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) supported the Congress-led UDF government’s resolution. The amendments suggested by BJP member V. Muraleedharan were rejected on the grounds that they went against the content and spirit of the resolution.Mr. Satheesan said the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2026, notified by the Centre on June 22, 2026, adversely impacts voluntary and charitable organisations functioning in the social, health, education and charity sectors of the country, especially Kerala. For decades, these registered organisations have aided the government machinery in ensuring the welfare of marginalised communities and offering support in the areas of education, healthcare, rehabilitation of the differently-abled and disaster management, the resolution said.The provisions in the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the name of ensuring transparency, erase the autonomous character of these organisations and their democratic right to function, the resolution said.The amendments limit the operational areas of the organisations to 105 areas in five categories. Besides, an organisation that has registration in one State is required to secure a fresh one if it is to operate in another State. The rules impose stringent penalties and pose practical difficulties for voluntary and non-governmental organisations. The stringent provisions such as those concerning ‘key functionaries,’ and sub-granting of funds would hinder the functioning of NGOs and also discourage individuals and organisations from participating in the activities of NGOs, the resolution said.Further, the stipulation that the government can seize assets created by an organisation through foreign aid using a ‘designated authority,’ without the approval of the court or a judicial examination, in the event of the FCRA licence being cancelled, suspended or not renewed is a violation of natural justice and contrary to the basic concepts of rule of law, the resolution said.It also objected to introduction of the term ‘proselytisation’ in the schedule related to religious activities, pointing out that it was liable to be misused to cancel the licence of organisations.BJP’s Mr. Muraleedharan suggested four amendments, one of which described the resolution that opposed a Bill passed by the Parliament as a “politically motivated” move by a State Legislature and against federal principles. The amendments were rejected. Published - July 01, 2026 02:54 pm IST
Kerala Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan | Mr Vijayan had arrived at the New Delhi airport only to learn that the flight the protocol office had booked for him had already departed. Mr Vijayan was stranded at the airport for several hours and was forced to take another late flight back home to Kannur. Aswathi Sreenivas, Additional Resident Commissioner, Kerala House, conducted a preliminary inquiry and reported to the State government that she had found a failure on the part of Mr Sreekumar in properly liaising with the airline to ensure Mr Vijayan’s hassle-free air travel.The Leader of the Opposition’s office clarified that Mr Vijayan had not filed any official complaint regarding the airport delay. Published - June 29, 2026 11:50 am IST
Senior National Spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Sudhanshu Trivedi. | At a media briefing, BJP MP and spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi described the decision to reduce excise tax on low-alcohol liquor by nearly half as “disastrous”. “By reducing government revenue and providing benefits to liquor businessmen, when consumption is bound to increase, do you want to push the entire younger generation towards alcohol?”, he asked.Mr. Trivedi questioned the government’s decision, saying it was inexplicable, particularly when Kerala’s Home Minister, Ramesh Chennithala, had acknowledged that the menace of drugs was becoming increasingly serious in the State.“At this juncture, what is the logic behind reducing excise duty, reducing government revenue, providing greater benefits to your friends in the liquor business, and also creating a danger for the future of the younger generation?,” asked Mr. Trivedi.“It was the Left government that created this new category of low-alcohol liquor, and now the Congress is trying to use it to flood the entire State with alcohol. So, both the Left and the Congress have done a great disservice to the State... they are two sides of the same coin,” he added. Published - June 26, 2026 10:24 pm IST
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