Lok Sabha passes bill to rename Kerala as Keralam, opportunity not given to hold discussions, say opposition

NEW DELHI: The 'Keralam Bill' was passed in the Lok Sabha without discussion. The bill to rename the state's official name from 'Kerala' to 'Keralam' was passed in the Lok Sabha without discussion. Minister of State Nityananda Rai informed the Speaker that the bill should be taken up for consideration. Congress MPs had demanded that the bill not be taken up for discussion today. The request was informed to the Speaker that the bill should not be taken up for discussion, citing that due to the ruckus in the Lok Sabha, MPs from Kerala would not get a chance to speak. However, the bill was passed amidst the commotion in the Lok Sabha.

The Lok Sabha passed the bill by voice vote. Nityananda Rai lashed out at the noise of the opposition MPs during the passage of the bill. Nityananda Rai criticized that the name Kerala was changed as per the demand of the MPs from Kerala, but the stance of the opposition MPs was not correct.

The bill was taken up for discussion as the opposition trooped to the well of the house and shouted slogans demanding an answer from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah over the Delhi Police's action against the CJP protest. The members were asked to return to their seats, but the opposition continued to protest. The bill passed by the Lok Sabha will now be sent to the Rajya Sabha for consideration.