3 weeks ago
Lok Sabha passes Kerala name change, cooperative bills amid protests
The Lok Sabha is a part of India's government where leaders make new laws.
On Tuesday, it passed two new laws very quickly, without any discussion.
One law changes the name of the Indian state Kerala to Keralam.
The other law makes changes to an organization that supports cooperatives, where people work together.
Many opposition leaders were upset and protested loudly during the meeting.
They wanted Home Minister Amit Shah to come to the House and explain what happened to student protesters in Delhi on July 20.
They also wanted a discussion about money missing from a temple and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Speaker, Om Birla, said he feels sad when the House cannot work properly.
After the two laws were passed, the meeting was closed for the day.
Lok Sabha passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, seeking to rename Kerala as Keralam, by voice vote without debate.
The National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was also passed without debate amid Opposition sloganeering.
Opposition MPs, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, demanded Amit Shah specifically address the police action against student protesters in Delhi on July 20.
The Congress called a discussion on the alleged theft of funds at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi 'non-negotiable'.
Only two of the 11 Bills cleared by the Lok Sabha so far have been debated; the Monsoon Session concludes on Thursday.
- Who
- The Lok Sabha, presided over by Speaker Om Birla, with Opposition protests led by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
- What
- Passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to rename Kerala as Keralam, and the National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, both without debate.
- Where
- In the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's Parliament, in New Delhi.
- When
- On Tuesday, during the Monsoon Session, which is scheduled to conclude on Thursday.
- Why
- Opposition members protested, demanding Amit Shah's presence to address police action against student protesters in Delhi on July 20, and over the alleged theft of funds at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Government
Opposition (Congress-led bloc)
Amit Shah's response on police action
Government
The government offered a discussion on 'student and youth agitations' across states, with a reply by Home Minister Amit Shah, including on the police action.
Opposition (Congress-led bloc)
The Opposition said a response on 'general things' would not be acceptable; Shah must specifically address the July 20 incident and the alleged use of pellet guns against student protesters in Delhi.
Renaming Kerala as Keralam
Government
The government passed the bill without debate; Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said Congress MPs appeared not to favour the renaming, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said he was saddened that Kerala MP K C Venugopal could not speak on it.
Opposition (Congress-led bloc)
Congress MPs, who were protesting, did not take part in the debate, and the party, which governs Kerala, was indicated to oppose renaming the state.
Ram temple funds and PM apology
Government
The government did not accept the Congress demands for a discussion on the alleged theft of funds at the Ayodhya Ram temple or an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Opposition (Congress-led bloc)
The Congress said a discussion on the alleged fund theft at the Ram temple in Ayodhya was 'non-negotiable', as was an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Key facts
- Kerala name change bill
- Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 - renames Kerala to Keralam
- Cooperative sector bill
- National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026
- Passage method
- Voice vote without debate amid Opposition sloganeering
- Bills cleared so far
- 11 Bills passed by Lok Sabha; only 2 were debated
- Opposition demands
- Amit Shah's response on July 20 police action; Ram temple fund theft discussion; apology from PM Modi
- Speaker
- Om Birla
- Protest duration
- More than three weeks
- Session
- Monsoon Session, concluding Thursday
Quotes
Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai
Minister of State for Home, India
“"I feel anguished when the House does not function," Birla said, and asked the Opposition members not to display placards inside the House as it is against parliamentary norms.”
rediff.com
telegraphindia.com
“"It seems the Congress MPs are not in favour of the renaming," Rai said, taking a swipe at the party, which governs Kerala.”
rediff.com
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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