The new statue of Lady Justice at the Supreme Court of India has brought some changes to the traditional representations. The redesigned figure has a few symbolic alterations. Placed in the judges’ library, the statue doesn’t have a blindfold anymore. It also has a copy of the Indian Constitution in its left hand instead of a sword.
Until now, the statue had a blindfold on her eyes representing the equality of all citizens before law. It continues to have scales of justice in the right hand representing fair judgment.
A copy of the Indian Constitution aims to underline the fact that justice in India is predominantly based on the constitutional provisions. The new statue is now dressed in a saree as against the Western robe, according to The Times Of India.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said that the “law is not blind” and everyone should be seen, adding that it would not be appropriate to administer justice in the light of colonial laws, The Tribune reported.
“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 is a symbol of violence but courts deliver justice according to constitutional laws,” a source told NDTV.
This fits into other broader reforms underway in India’s justice system, including the ongoing processes of decolonising Indian laws, including the Indian Penal Code, and replacing them with modern codes of laws such as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Comments
0 comment