Congress is aggressively advocating for social justice, criticizing the Uttar Pradesh government's ban on caste-based political rallies. Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress President, has questioned Prime Minister Modi regarding the compatibility of this ban with the acceptance of a caste census, linking it to protests against caste atrocities. This stance aligns with Congress's renewed emphasis on Mandal politics and social justice issues.

Kharge has been particularly vocal in his criticism of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who he says previously opposed reservations. Kharge has questioned the rationale behind banning rallies held in the name of castes, especially when the country is discussing conducting a caste census. He has also raised concerns about jailing those who protest against injustice and oppression.

The Uttar Pradesh government's directive, which prohibits caste-based political rallies and other caste-centered displays, has been met with opposition from various parties. Critics argue that the move is merely an "eyewash" and a dangerous attempt to silence voices emerging from Dalit, backward, marginalized, and other subaltern communities. Some suggest that the ban will embolden forces of injustice and target social community-based groups fighting against discrimination.

Kharge has also drawn attention to the situation in Bihar, blaming the NDA government for the state's "lagging" economy, high unemployment rate, and migration of youth. He criticized the "double engine" claim of development, stating that Bihar has not received a special package from the Centre. He noted that 80% of Bihar's population belongs to OBC, EBC, and SC/ST categories, emphasizing the need for transparency in caste census and reservation policies.

The Congress party has a history of supporting reservation policies, with Kharge mentioning that the Congress government granted constitutional protection to the 69% reservation for the people of Tamil Nadu thirty years ago. He questioned why the Prime Minister had not secured constitutional protection for the 65% reservation in Bihar, drawing a parallel to the Tamil Nadu precedent.

Kharge has declared that the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar will be a significant milestone for the entire country, signaling the beginning of the end of the Modi government's tenure. He has promised that the Congress, along with its alliance partners, will provide employment, education, health, social justice, and good governance to the people of Bihar, fulfilling their dream of a "Golden Bihar". He also accused the BJP of considering Nitish Kumar a "burden" and that the NDA coalition is facing internal strife.