Parliament Passes Bill to Rename Kerala to Keralam

The Indian Parliament has passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, officially renaming the state from Kerala to Keralam. This decision came after the Kerala Assembly had previously passed a resolution in 2024, requesting the Centre to enact a law facilitating the name change.

During the monsoon session, Union minister Amit Shah expressed his willingness to discuss the police action taken against protesters from the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP). However, the Opposition indicated a lack of interest in engaging in discussions on this topic, seeking to shift the focus elsewhere.

The Rajya Sabha session faced disruption due to controversy surrounding remarks made by BJP MP Sushmita Dev. CPI(M) MP John Brittas accused her of using the term 'lungiwala' during a debate, sparking heated exchanges among members, and leading the Chair to emphasize the need for respect for regional identities.

In response to the uproar over the 'lungiwala' remark, Sushmita Dev clarified that her comments were not intended to demean any cultural attire. The opposition, however, asserted that the remarks constituted an attack on South Indian culture.

Kiren Rijiju suggested the possibility of extending the Parliament session if the Congress party agreed to discussions concerning the ongoing student protests, highlighting the contentious atmosphere within the legislature.