Why not West Bengal to Bangla? State renaming debate intensifies as Kerala becomes Keralam

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday urged the Centre to approve the long‑pending demand by the West Bengal government to rename the state, following the Union Cabinet’s approval to change Kerala’s name to Keralam . Abdullah said the Centre should treat all states’ proposals equally and give due consideration if Jammu and Kashmir itself seeks a future name change.

Reacting sharply to the Kerala decision, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “We have nothing against any state. Kerala’s proposal has been accepted because there is an understanding between the BJP and the CPI(M).” She questioned why her own state’s proposal to rename West Bengal as Bangla , backed by resolutions passed twice by the legislative assembly, has “been lying buried” with the Centre for years. Banerjee accused the central government of being “anti‑Bengal” and said, “They disrespect Bengali scholars … they only use the word ‘Bangla’ during polls to get electoral benefit.” She also highlighted practical concerns, saying, “When our students go for exams or interviews, they are called at the end since the name … begins with ‘W’ ,” and vowed the name would change one day when the BJP is not in power.

The Kerala approval moves the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 toward Parliament to amend the Constitution’s First Schedule. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the decision as reflecting the “will of the people.” Abdullah also welcomed Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan went to Kashmir for the University of Kashmir’s convocation and laid the foundation stone for the ‘Bab‑ul‑Sultan‑ul‑Arifeen’ calligraphy gate to boost tourism in the old city.

The controversy underscores how state renaming has become a flashpoint in national politics, identity, federal relations and ignoring main problems.