New Delhi: The blindfold has been removed from a new statue of the ‘Lady of Justice’ in the Supreme Court, and the sword in one of her hands has been replaced with the Constitution. This change sends a message that the law is not blind in the country, nor does it symbolize punishment.
The blindfold was intended to represent equality before the law, implying that courts cannot see the wealth, power, or other markers of status of those who appear before them, while the sword symbolized authority and the power to punish injustice.
The new statue, placed in the judges’ library of the Supreme Court and commissioned at the order of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, has its eyes opened and the Constitution held in its left hand instead of a sword. This move is also viewed as an attempt to move away from colonial legacies, similar to the replacement of colonial-era criminal laws like the Indian Penal Code with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
According to top sources associated with the Chief Justice’s office, Justice Chandrachud believes that India should progress beyond its British legacy and that the law is never blind; it sees everyone equally.
“Therefore, the Chief Justice stated that the form of the Lady of Justice should be changed. He emphasized that the statue should hold the Constitution in one hand instead of 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 based on constitutional laws,” a source said.
The scales of justice in her right hand, the source added, have been retained as they represent balance in society and signify that both sides’ facts and arguments are weighed by the courts before reaching a conclusion.
The Knowledge & PR Desk at TheUnplanned.in is your dedicated source for insightful articles and impactful press releases. We specialize in delivering well-researched content that informs and engages our readers on a wide range of topics.
