New Delhi: In a historic and symbolic shift, the Supreme Court of India has unveiled a new version of the iconic ‘Lady Justice’ statue, marking a departure from its colonial-era design. The updated statue, now displayed in the judges’ library, no longer features the traditional blindfold and replaces the sword with the Constitution of India, emphasizing a progressive transformation in the country’s legal framework.
This change, spearheaded by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, represents a judicial system that “sees” rather than remains blind. The removal of the blindfold sends a message that the law is not blind. The sword, previously a symbol of punishment, has been replaced by the Constitution to reflect a commitment to justice based on democratic principles.
While the scales remain in place to symbolize impartiality, this shift raises an important question: If the law is now meant to “see” all, will justice still be delivered impartially? Could the removal of the blindfold suggest that the law might become subjective or partial?