The new Lady Justice statue at the Supreme Court no longer wears a blindfold, and instead of holding a sword, she now holds the Constitution. These changes in the appearance, though small gives a big message to the society. It symbolizes that the law in India is neither blind nor focused on punishment.
According to an NDTV report, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud ordered the statue to be made. This change was made to move India away from the legacy of the British Empire.
Why was the Old Law Blind?
The old statue of the justice had a blindfold on her eyes blindfold symbolizing equality in the eyes of the law. The blindfold meant that courts do not consider a person's wealth, power, or social status when they appear before it, and give its judgement irrespective of any influence they possess in the society.
The statue also had a sword in its one hand. The sword represented the court’s authority and the ability to punish wrongdoing.
What are the New Changes?
As part of an effort to move past the colonial legacy, the Supreme Court recently commissioned a new statue in the judges' library. The changes in the new statue comprise of:
- No Blindfold on Lady Justice: Removing the blindfold from Lady Justice's eyes symbolizes a new era of justice. It sends a clear message that the law is not blind; it considers all evidence before making decisions.
- Replacing the Sword with the Constitution: The sword has been replaced with the Constitution to show that Lady Justice is not about punishment or violence. Instead, she believes in delivering justice to everyone based on the principles outlined in our Constitution, which is the foundation of democracy.
- Unchanged Scales of Justice: The scales that Lady Justice holds in one hand remain the same. They represent equality before the law, showing that courts consider both sides of an argument before making a decision.
As per NDTV, top sources close to the Chief Justice's office claim that Justice Chandrachud thinks India should move past its British past and that the law is never blind that it treats everyone equally and without any prejudice or biasedness at its end.
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