Lok Sabha passes Keralam renaming, co-op Bills amid Opposition uproar

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed two Bills, including legislation to rename Kerala as Keralam, without debate as Opposition MPs continued their protests demanding the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the House.

The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 was taken up after the House resumed at 2 pm amid sloganeering and protests over student demonstrations and alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

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The Bill, moved by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, was passed by voice vote without discussion.

"It seems the Congress MPs are not in favour of the renaming," Rai said, taking a swipe at the Congress, which governs Kerala.

The National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was subsequently moved by Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol and was also passed by voice vote amid the continued uproar.

Opposition MPs had earlier trooped into the Well carrying placards and raising slogans demanding Shah's presence in the House. Presiding officer Krishna Prasad Tenneti allowed papers to be laid on the table despite the din.

Of the 11 Bills passed by the Lok Sabha so far during the Monsoon Session, only two have been debated, while the remaining legislation has been cleared without discussion amid Opposition protests.

Earlier in the day, Speaker Om Birla expressed concern over repeated disruptions after proceedings began at 11 am and were adjourned within minutes. He appealed to both the government and the Opposition to find common ground so that Parliament could debate Bills that bring "far-reaching changes in the country".

Also Read: Amid disruptions, speaker Om Birla asks government, opposition to arrive at common ground to let House function

The Opposition has been protesting for more than three weeks, demanding Shah's presence in the House over student protests and alleged police action against demonstrators.

The government's offer on Monday to hold a debate followed by a reply from Shah failed to break the deadlock. The Congress has insisted that the Home Minister's response specifically address who ordered the firing of pellets against student protesters on July 20.

The Congress has also said that a discussion on the alleged theft of funds at the Ram temple in Ayodhya is "non negotiable".

With the Monsoon Session scheduled to end on Thursday, uncertainty remains over the fate of several pieces of legislation, including the women's reservation amendment Bill, which could not be passed in the previous session, and the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Amendment Bill.