 "Lady Justice is no longer blindfolded: What's the controversy over new statue in Supreme Court?")
Change is the only constant, and this rings especially true for India’s judiciary.
In a move to break away from its colonial past and embrace a more Indianised representation of justice, the Supreme Court of India has unveiled a redesigned statue of Lady Justice in its library.
The new figurine has undergone a couple of symbolic changes, including the removal of her blindfold.
However, not everyone has embraced the redesign. The departure from the traditional image of Lady Justice has sparked criticism from some quarters, questioning whether this move represents a break from impartiality.
So, what are the changes? Why has this sparked a row? Let’s take a closer look.
All about Lady Justice
The traditional image of Lady Justice, with her blindfold, robe, and sword, has deep roots in ancient Greek and Roman iconography.
In ancient Greece, the goddess Themis was often portrayed holding scales and a sword, symbolising divine law and justice. Similarly, in Roman mythology, the figure of Lady Justice was inspired by Justitia, their goddess of justice.
In India, the blindfold on Lady Justice symbolised equality before the law, ensuring that justice is served without prejudice to wealth, status, or influence. It is from the blindfold that courts got the saying, “Law is blind”.
The sword, meanwhile, has long stood for the authority of the law. Its double edge signifies that justice can both protect and punish.
The scales represented balance and fairness which emphasise that courts weigh both sides of an argument before delivering a judgment.
It was during the British Colonial rule of India that the Lady Justice made an entry into the Indian Judicial system. Since then, it has become an indispensable symbol of the judicial system.
What are the changes?
The Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud , commissioned a new version of Lady Justice for the Supreme Court’s judges’ library.
Artist Vinod Goswami, who crafted the 6.5-foot fibreglass figure, shared with The Times of India that after weeks of discussions and sketches, the new concept of ‘Nyay Devi’ emerged and was agreed upon to reflect the best of Indian culture and heritage.
One of the most noticeable changes is the removal of Lady Justice’s traditional blindfold, now replaced by open eyes.
This shift, according to CJI Chandrachud, highlighted the judiciary’s commitment to justice that “sees all equally.” He emphasised during the unveiling, “The law is not blind; it sees everyone equally,” as reported by NDTV.
💥💥 New Justice Statue In Supreme Court, A 'Law Is Not Blind' Message pic.twitter.com/is9T5yoiny
— CA Bimal Jain (@BimalGST) October 16, 2024
Another striking change is the replacement of the sword with the Indian Constitution. A source from the Chief Justice’s office explained the reasoning behind this: “He (Chandrachud) said the statue should have the constitution in one hand and not a sword, so that a message goes out to the country that she dispenses justice according to the constitution. The sword is a symbol of violence, but courts deliver justice according to constitutional laws,” as NDTV reported.
The Lady Justice statue has also seen a transformation in its attire. Her western robes have been replaced with a saree and traditional Indian ornamentation. However, the scales of justice, symbolising fairness, remain intact in her right hand.
This change symbolises a broader effort to shed colonial influences from India’s legal system, similar to the recent replacement of the Indian Penal Code with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The new statue of Lady Justice now stands proudly, embodying a justice system that is aware, vigilant, and inclusive, sources from the apex court told Business Standard.
The controversy
Shortly after the statue was unveiled the Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice, saying that the new design was a commendable tribute to the constitution, reported ANI.
“The blindfold on the statue of justice has been removed, and the handheld sword is replaced with the Constitution. The new design is a great way to pay respect to the country’s Constitution. My greetings to the CJI for this,” he said.
VIDEO | "The Department of Justice runs in Jaisalmer House in Delhi. There was a statue there, which was replaced by that of Dr BR Ambedkar on April 14... this was all over the media and a lot of debate was done. At one time, it was said that law is blind. Why? Justice is done as… pic.twitter.com/doHQLu0XKB
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 17, 2024
However, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut was sharply critical of the move, calling it a “propaganda and a campaign of the BJP and RSS.”
He then criticised the Supreme Court, asking, “What are they trying to prove by replacing the sword in the hand of the justice statue with the Constitution?”
“They are already killing the Constitution and by removing the blindfold from the statue, they want everyone to openly see corruption and the murder of the Constitution,” added Raut.
#WATCH | On the new justice statue in the Supreme Court, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut says, "The court's job is to protect the constitution and serve justice as per the constitution. But is it happening in the SC? What are they trying to prove by replacing the sword in the hand… pic.twitter.com/iG184otwau
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2024
The new statue also drew mixed reactions on social media.
One user wrote, “The thing Lady Justice needs the most is a watch,” likely referring to delays in the Indian judicial system. Another user pointed out that removing the blindfold reflected “tremendous self-awareness,” adding that the law in India is “anything but impartial.”
Despite the criticism, others hailed the new statue as a “historic day for India’s judiciary,” supporting the fresh representation of justice.
With input from agencies
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