New Delhi, 24 February (H.S.): Congress MP Shashi Tharoor quipped that renaming Kerala to Keralam creates an English-speaking conundrum for residents—dubbing Keralamite bacterial and Keralamian mineral-like—while Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar defended the move as cultural preservation.

Tharoor's X Jab: Contest for New Demonyms Needed

On X, Tharoor noted: All good, but English speakers face a linguistic issue—what to call Keralam's people? Previously 'Keralite' or 'Keralan'; now 'Keralamite' sounds like bacteria, 'Keralamian' a rare mineral. He suggested CM Pinarayi Vijayan launch a naming contest.

BJP's Cultural Pitch Ahead of Polls

Chandrasekhar told reporters: Calling our state Keralam fits—preserving traditions while building modern economy. Every Malayali craves change from false promises to performance politics; BJP-NDA completes unfinished tasks, safeguarding glorious Keralam's heritage, history, culture.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar