A mild yet alarming earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale struck Delhi-NCR on Monday morning, triggering panic among residents who rushed out of their homes and offices. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) confirmed that the quake had a shallow depth of just 5 km, with Delhi as its epicenter.

Though the tremors were brief, they were intense enough to be felt across Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, and other parts of north India. As per the latest reports, no casualties or injuries have been recorded.

Residents describe an unprecedented experience

The unexpected tremors led to chaos in high-rise buildings, railway stations, and commercial hubs. People recounted never experiencing such strong tremors before.

A resident from Ghaziabad shared his experience, saying,
“Tremors were so strong. It felt as if a train was passing nearby. Everything was shaking. I have never felt anything like this before.”

At New Delhi Railway Station, panic ensued among passengers as many mistook the vibrations for an accident.
“It felt like a bridge collapsed or a high-speed train passed by,” said a passenger waiting for his train.

Anish, a vendor at the railway station, described how his payment counter began to tremble, and customers started screaming in fear.

Delhi Police urges calm, no damage reported

Following the quake, Delhi Police took to social media to reassure the public, posting on X (formerly Twitter):
“We hope you all are safe, Delhi!”

The police also urged people to remain cautious and call the emergency 112 helpline in case of any distress.

Delhi: A high seismic risk zone

Delhi falls under seismic zone IV, which means it is highly vulnerable to earthquakes. Experts have consistently warned about the seismic risks the region faces due to its location on active fault lines.

While today’s earthquake caused no structural damage, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for preparedness. Authorities have repeatedly emphasized earthquake-resistant construction and emergency preparedness drills to mitigate risks.

Tamil digital magazine Vikatan has claimed that its website became inaccessible to readers following a complaint by the BJP to the central government over a cartoon allegedly depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an offensive manner.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and leaders of various political parties, who have criticized the alleged blocking of the website as an attack on freedom of expression.

In a social media post, Vikatan stated that numerous users from different locations reported being unable to access its website. However, the magazine clarified that there has been no official communication from the central government regarding the alleged block.

The controversy stems from a cover cartoon published by Vikatan Plus, the magazine’s digital edition, on February 10. The cartoon reportedly highlighted the issue of Indians being handcuffed and deported from the United States while Prime Minister Modi remained silent on the matter. The depiction drew sharp criticism from BJP supporters, with Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai lodging a formal complaint against the magazine with the central government.

Vikatan, asserting its commitment to freedom of expression, said it is investigating the reasons behind the alleged blocking of its website and has raised the issue with the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin condemned the alleged action, calling it undemocratic and reflective of the BJP’s “fascist nature.” He urged the central government to restore access to the website, emphasizing that blocking a media outlet for its opinions undermines democratic principles.

Tamil Nadu Congress president K. Selvaperunthagai and TVK chief Vijay also criticized the central government’s alleged move, with Vijay describing it as an attempt to stifle freedom of expression.

In response to Stalin’s remarks, BJP vice president Narayanan Thirupathy questioned the chief minister’s understanding of freedom of expression. “Before speaking about freedom of expression, the chief minister should review the list of individuals arrested in the past four years for criticizing him and his government,” Thirupathy said.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai defended the party’s complaint, stating that the cartoon was offensive and aimed at defaming PM Modi. In a letter to Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, Annamalai sought action against Vikatan for publishing what he called “fake and defamatory content.”

“Freedom of the press does not grant a newspaper the license to malign a political leader with baseless and defamatory writings,” Annamalai said in his complaint. He also revealed that two separate representations had been sent—one to the Press Council of India and another to Minister Murugan—urging prompt action against Vikatan for allegedly acting as a “mouthpiece of the DMK” and publishing offensive content against PM Modi.

The incident has reignited debates over press freedom and the limits of political satire in India, with critics accusing the BJP of suppressing dissent and opposition leaders rallying behind Vikatan. As the controversy unfolds, the central government has yet to issue an official statement on the alleged blocking of the magazine’s website.

The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has unveiled a series of significant budget cuts, including the elimination of a $21 million allocation aimed at boosting “voter turnout in India.” The announcement was made in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on February 15.

President Donald Trump appointed Musk last month to lead the newly established DOGE, tasking him with streamlining governance and reducing wasteful spending. In its post, the department listed several programs that would no longer receive funding, emphasizing its commitment to fiscal responsibility.

“U.S. taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all of which have been cancelled,” the DOGE stated. Among the cuts was  $486 million in grants to the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening” including $22 million for “inclusive and participatory political process” in Moldova and $21 million for “voter turnout in India”. No further details about the specific programs or their objectives were provided.

The announcement comes just days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.S., where he held discussions with President Trump and met with Musk. During their meeting, Musk and Modi explored potential collaborations in space exploration, mobility, technology, and energy, while also exchanging ideas on improving governance in their respective countries.

The DOGE has announced previously cancelled funding, which includes $29 million for “strengthening political landscape in Bangladesh,” $20 million designated for “fiscal federalism” in Nepal, and $19 million aimed at “biodiversity conservation” in the Himalayan nation.

Further cuts include a $10 million grant for “Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision,” $2.3 million for initiatives to “strengthen independent voices in Cambodia,” $32 million to the Prague Civil Society Centre, $40 million for a “gender equality and women empowerment hub,” and $14 million allocated to “improving public procurement” in Serbia, among other reductions. Additionally, the budget accounted for $47 million intended for “improving learning outcomes in Asia.”

The DOGE’s sweeping budget reductions reflect its mandate to prioritize efficiency and eliminate what it deems non-essential expenditures. While the move has been praised by advocates of fiscal conservatism, it has also sparked debate over the potential impact of these cuts on international development and diplomatic relations.

As the DOGE continues its review of government spending, the announcement underscores the Trump administration’s focus on reducing foreign aid and reallocating resources to domestic priorities. The long-term implications of these cuts, particularly on U.S. partnerships and global initiatives, remain to be seen.