In a symbolic shift, India’s Supreme Court has replaced the traditional statue of Lady Justice with a new representation that reflects the country’s evolving legal ethos. The iconic blindfold and sword, long associated with the image of justice, have been removed in favor of a more meaningful and relevant depiction. The new statue symbolizes a renewed sentiment, “that law in India is not blind.” This new statue holds the Constitution of India instead of a sword, symbolizing that justice in India is now based on the Constitution, not force or violence; according to an NDTV report.
Commissioned by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, the redesigned statue stands as a bold statement of equality before the law. In contrast to the traditional image of Lady Justice—a blindfolded woman with scales in one hand and a sword in the other—the new statue reflects the idea that “the law in India is not blind.” This revision emphasizes that justice should be dispensed according to the Constitution, rather than wielding the threat of violence.
For many years, the Lady Justice statue, dressed in a white saree, symbolized the old adage of impartiality, with the blindfold representing the idea that justice should be administered without bias. The scales symbolized fairness, while the sword represented the authority of the law However, this image has roots in Roman and Greek mythology, where Justitia and Astraea were ancient symbols of justice.
The move to replace these traditional symbols was seen as a step towards decolonization and modernization. Chief Justice Chandrachud highlighted the importance of portraying justice as open-eyed and grounded in the Constitution, stating that the sword, which symbolizes violence, should not be part of this representation in India. Instead, the new statue symbolizes that justice is delivered based on the Constitution of India.
Top sources like Justice Chandrachud, associated with the Chief Justice’s office, told NDTV that “the law is not blind and sees everyone equally.” Another source told the publication, “Therefore, the Chief Justice said that the form of the Lady of Justice should be changed. He 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 symbolizes violence, but courts deliver justice according to constitutional laws.”
According to a source from the Chief Justice’s office, the decision to update the statue was aimed at sending a message to the people of India. “The law is not blind and sees everyone equally,” said the source. The replacement of the sword with the Constitution was meant to highlight that India’s judicial system operates within the framework of constitutional laws, promoting fairness and justice for all.
