Supreme Court’s Lady Justice Statue Now Holds Constitution, Open Eyes Symbolize Modern Law
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court revealed a new statue of Lady Justice, marking a departure from colonial-era depictions of law. Commissioned under Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, this statue, located in the judges’ library, showcases a modern vision of justice.
Unlike the older statues, this version of Lady Justice has open eyes and holds the Constitution instead of a sword. This shift symbolizes that justice in India is not blind but driven by constitutional principles, not punishment. Traditionally, Lady Justice wore a blindfold to show impartiality and carried a sword to represent authority and punishment.
However, the new statue emphasizes justice rooted in India’s Constitution, rather than the old symbols of violence and colonial control. This unveiling is part of a larger effort to move away from British legal symbols, as seen with the replacement of the Indian Penal Code by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Chief Justice Chandrachud highlighted the importance of evolving India’s legal system to reflect modern societal values. The statue still features the scales of justice, symbolizing the need for balance and fairness in court decisions.
This event marks a key moment in India’s legal history, as the nation continues its journey toward a more inclusive and constitutionally grounded approach to justice.
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