The Chief Minister's Office of Maharashtra announced on Saturday, 6 June 2026 that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the book 'Timeline' authored by Rajendra Darda, Chief Editor of Lokmat Media Group, at a ceremony in Mumbai. The event brought together senior political and media figures to reflect on the role of social media in shaping public discourse.

What happened

Speaking at the launch, CM Fadnavis said that while social media has become a powerful tool for expression, the line between free expression and anarchy is often crossed without notice. He quoted a couplet from the book: 'Umr ko harana hai toh shauq hamesha zinda rakhiye, ghutne chalein ya na chalein, mann udta parinda rakhiye' — ('If you wish to defeat age, keep your passions alive; whether or not the knees move, let the mind remain a soaring bird') — calling it emblematic of Rajendra Darda's forward-thinking outlook.

CM Fadnavis added that the book's core message — that one can remain positive even in a world dominated by negativity — sets it apart. He expressed hope that readers would carry that positivity into their social media conduct.

Context

The book launch was attended by Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Adv. Rahul Narwekar, Minister Adv. Aashish Shelar, Lokmat Media Group Chairman Vijay Darda, and other dignitaries. The gathering underscored the close relationship between Maharashtra's political establishment and the state's regional press ecosystem.

Lokmat Media Group is one of Maharashtra's largest media houses, with decades of influence in Marathi journalism and public life. Rajendra Darda, its chief editor, has been a prominent voice in Marathi letters and journalism for many years.

Policy backdrop

CM Fadnavis used the occasion to raise a broader concern: that social media platforms, while enabling poetry gatherings, literary meets, and intellectual initiatives, are simultaneously being used to 'create anarchy.' He called for the development of 'appropriate principles and a value system' to address this reality. This aligns with ongoing national debates around responsible digital expression and evolving regulatory frameworks governing online content in India.

During his earlier tenure as Chief Minister from 2014 to 2019, Fadnavis had championed digital governance initiatives including e-services and citizen portals, establishing a pattern of engagement with digital infrastructure and its social consequences.

Stakeholders and impact

The remarks carry weight for Maharashtra's large base of social media users, journalists, and media organisations navigating questions of platform responsibility and editorial values. For the Marathi literary community, the event signals continued state-level patronage of regional language publishing.

The presence of senior figures from both the legislature and the cabinet at a book launch by a media group chairman also reflects the layered relationship between press and governance in the state.

What's next

Observers will watch for follow-up action from the Maharashtra government — whether the Chief Minister's call for a 'value system' for social media translates into concrete policy proposals, guidelines, or workshops on responsible digital conduct. Any such announcements at forthcoming legislative sessions or media summits in Mumbai would mark a tangible next step from the sentiments expressed at the launch.