Bengal’s Name Change Debate Rekindled as Kerala Officially Becomes Keralam

The Centre’s decision to clear Kerala’s proposal to officially use “Keralam” has reignited the long-pending debate over renaming West Bengal, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accusing the Union government of bias against the state.

Calling the delay “political”, Banerjee alleged that the Centre remembers Bengal only during elections. She has repeatedly pushed for dropping the prefix “West” from the state’s name, arguing that there is no longer an “East Bengal” and that the existing name is a colonial-era relic.

Why the Centre has resisted

Government sources, however, rejected the allegations and outlined multiple reasons for withholding approval.

One key concern, they said, was the proposal to rename the state “Bangla”, which could create confusion internationally due to its similarity with Bangladesh. The Ministry of External Affairs is understood to have flagged this issue as well.

Earlier, in 2016, the state government had suggested three different names — Bangla (Bengali), Bengal (English) and Bangal (Hindi). The Centre turned down the proposal, citing the need for uniformity across languages. Officials maintained that a state cannot officially have three different names depending on linguistic usage.

An earlier proposal in 2011 to rename the state “Paschim Banga” or “Paschim Bango” was also rejected on the grounds that it amounted to only a minor linguistic alteration.

Legal and administrative hurdles

Officials have also pointed to procedural requirements. Renaming a state involves coordination across multiple departments — including Railways, Postal Services and Civil Aviation — as all official records, maps and databases must be updated. Ultimately, a constitutional amendment requires Parliament’s approval through a simple majority.

Sources further noted that the name “West Bengal” carries historical continuity. During British rule, Viceroy Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal into eastern and western regions — a move later rolled back amid widespread protests. After Independence in 1947, the eastern portion became East Pakistan, and following the 1971 war, emerged as Bangladesh. India retained the name West Bengal as a historical marker.

Political undertones

Banerjee has argued that the “West” prefix is outdated and symbolically disadvantages the state, even pointing out that alphabetical listings place it at the end during official events. She has said she raised the issue repeatedly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, but without success.

Accusing the Centre of being “anti-Bengali”, she claimed the word “Bangla” is invoked only during election campaigns. While the political sparring continues, the renaming question remains unresolved, with no immediate indication of a breakthrough.