{
  "id": 12794826,
  "title": "Hindi on government medicine packets sparks row in Tamil Nadu; DMK, TVK trade barbs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/hindi-on-government-medicine-packets-sparks-row-in-tamil-nadu-dmk-tvk",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T05:08:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hindi-on-government-medicine-packets-sparks-row-in-tamil-nadu-dmk-tvk-trade-barbs-101791435528892.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu over the inclusion of Hindi alongside Tamil and English on medicine packet labels at two state hospitals in Coimbatore and Karur. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) opposition party has criticized the Tamil Nadu government for allegedly flouting the three-language formula, while the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has accused the DMK of deflecting blame. Former industries minister TRB Rajaa from the DMK claimed that the three-language policy was already in place at the Karur hospital under the previous DMK government and had recently been reintroduced in Coimbatore. Health and family welfare minister KG Arunraj defended the decision, stating that the covers were sourced from the Central Prison and approved during the DMK regime when a shortage arose. He questioned the political motives behind the controversy, noting that the current government simply fulfilled a demand and did not alter the original design or language. TVK leader Rama Srinivasan sarcastically inquired about the significance of a single Hindi word on the covers amidst other hospital issues.",
  "summary": "The TVK has defended itself and stated that it made no changes to the design or language introduced during DMK rule.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}