New Delhi: Days after The Wire Hindi reported that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued formal notices to news channels alleging that although primarily Hindi, they incorporate approximately 30% Urdu words in their broadcasts, the Press Information Bureau has issued a “fact-check” that calls the claim misleading but confirms its facts, including the government’s communication with the Hindi channels. The PIB claims that the MIB has only forwarded a “viewer’s complaint” to the channels – a fact that was made clear in the The Wire Hindi’s report, which notes that TV9 Bharatvarsh, Aaj Tak, ABP, Zee News, and TV18, were the channels that got this communication.The “fact-check” also does not answer why this particular complaint – from a person quoted in the original report by The Wire Hindi – was forwarded in the first place. It does not say why the MIB’s note to the channels, instructing them to “inform the complainant of the action taken and keep the Ministry duly informed,” should not be construed as a formal notice.The PIB “fact-check” has also claimed that the action was taken according to the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act and calls the report and some social media posts made on it “misleading.”Notwithstanding the PIB’s claims, its “fact-check” only verifies the report that the MIB had sought an explanation from the news channels for using Urdu words.The Wire Hindi had reported the MIB’s action was based on a complaint filed on September 9, 2025, and that it sent formal notices to five major news channels. The ministry has also directed the hiring of a language expert.What is in the complaint?S.K. Srivastava, a resident of Thane in Maharashtra, lodged a complaint on the Centralised Public Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) portal on September 9, 2025, asserting that Hindi news channels such as TV9 Bharatvarsh, Aaj Tak, ABP News, Zee News, and TV18 incorporate roughly 30% Urdu vocabulary in their broadcasts.The complainant has claimed that these channels, which purport to be Hindi news outlets, are utilising elements from other languages in their daily commentaries, which he deems a fraud against the public and a criminal offense. In his complaint, he demanded that these channels be directed to engage a language expert and display their certification on their website.Speaking to The Wire Hindi, S.K. Srivastava, who identifies himself as a legal practitioner, stated, “Look, Hindi TV channels employ phrases such as ‘tashreef rakhie’ in place of ‘sit’ and ‘sailaab’ instead of ‘flood’. How can a Hindi speaker comprehend all of this?”He further remarked, “One of my objectives is to ensure that Hindi speakers, those holding BA, MA, and PhD degrees in Hindi should be able to find employment opportunities.” Government actionOn September 18, 2025, Navneet Kumar, the under-secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, sent individual letters to five television channels, notifying them of a complaint received regarding their alleged use of incorrect Hindi.The correspondence specified that, in response to the complaint, appropriate measures have been mandated against the channels in accordance with the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules.The channels are required to communicate their decision regarding the complaint to both the ministry and the complainant within a period of 15 days.The Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2025, were enacted by the Union government in January 2025. The government has stated that these regulations were established to modernise and enhance the regulation of the cable television industry.This complaint, which was filed on the CPGRAMS portal, was designated as ‘Case Closed’ on September 19, 2025. At present, in accordance with government protocols, complaints are addressed within 21 days, a reduction from the previous timeframe of 30 days.