The Hon’ble Supreme Court has unveiled the new statue of the lady of justice, and this news is sparking interest from every corner of society. This figure is more than merely a statue for many common men and professionals also. It is a symbol of justice or justitia, that everyone looks up to. But why has this statue been an area of interest? This is because this new statue is a little different from the old one that we have used. This change raises questions about the message the Supreme Court of India is trying to spread from this newly unveiled statue to the public.
In this blog, we will explore the differences between the old and the new statues. The possible reasons for this change and how this change might impact us psychologically, especially for law students and those just beginning to study justice and law, and what changes this statue aims to bring in society for a common man.
Who Is The Lady Of Justice?
The Lady of Justice is a moral figure that presents the moral face of justice in different cultures around the world. Typically, this statue is represented in the form of a woman. This statue represents principles like fairness, impartiality, and the power of the law. The Lady of Justice has ancient roots often linked to goddesses from different mythologies who represent truth and law. For example:
1. Greek Mythology:
The Lady of Justice is mostly associated with the Greek goddess of law, order, and fairness, Themis. Goddess Themis was often depicted holding scales and a sword. Her daughter Dike, the goddess of justice, later took on a similar role, representing moral order.
2. Roman Mythology:
In Roman tradition, Justitia was the goddess who was personified as a statue of fairness and justice. She is often the model for modern representations of Lady Justice, as she carries scales to weigh the truth and often wore a blindfold to symbolize impartiality.
What Does The Lady Of Justice Represent?
The statue of the Lady of Justice is traditionally shown with three main symbols: a blindfold, weigh scales, and a sword. Each of these symbols has its own meaning:
1. The Blindfold:
This is impartialitas, meaning impartiality. With her eyes covered, Lady Justice doesn’t see the person she judges. She only verifies the facts and believes only in those facts. This represents that justice is meant to be fair, unaffected by wealth, power, and social status.
2. The Weigh Scales:
The scales in her hands stand for Equilibrio (balance). These scales are where evidence is weighed, representing fairness and the idea that justice is based on truth.
3. The Sword:
The sword signifies potestas (authority). The law must have the power to enforce decisions protecting the innocent and financing the guilty.
What Is The Difference In The New Statue?
In the new statue, which is unveiled by the Chief Justice of India, Dr. DY Chandrachud, there are noticeable differences, which has also been a point of debate. These changes include the absence of the blindfold and the sword, as well as a change in the attire and pose of the Lady Justice.
The absence of the blindfold implies that justice is "seeing." And from now on, the “Kanoon is no more Andha." This change may be meant to show that justice in India should be aware of its surroundings, especially in a society with diverse needs and unique challenges. CJI Chandrachud stated, “The law is not blind; it sees everyone equally,” during the unveiling.
The new statue has a more dynamic stance. It appears to be moving forward instead of standing in a fixed position as earlier. This change is possibly a symbol of vigilance and adaptability. This upgraded figure might suggest that the Indian justice system is not static but is instead evolving to address new issues, like social justice, environmental protection, digital rights, and gender inequality.
The upgraded statue has the Constitution of India in her left hand instead of the sword. This change might be a symbol to show that the justice of India is devoted toward the Constitution of India, and justice will be served through the constitutional methods and not by the means of violence. A senior official from the Chief Justice’s office explained, “The sword is a symbol of violence, but courts deliver justice according to constitutional laws. The new statue aims to reflect this principle.”
Also, the attire of the new statue is entirely different from the earlier one. The new statue is decorated with Indian attire, and saari, and ornamented with Indian traditional jewelry. This might be a symbol of showing that Indian justice is not dependent on any other culture, and Indian justice is independent from all and so rain, and having the essence of Indian culture, which has a bigger history than any other culture.
Why Does It Matter? Psychological And Social Impact.
For many people, the removal of the blindfold can feel like a bold statement. It seems to be saying that justice doesn’t have to be blind. It has to be aware. It seems to be proving the Latin maxim, Suum cuique tribuere, which means to render to each his due; in other words, it means it requires understanding the full picture, especially in complex societies like India. This change can inspire the notion of fides publica (public trust) in the judiciary that people feel that justice is indifferent to their struggles.
Some intellectuals feel that removing the blindfolds risks bias, as it could symbolize a select justice. However, there are many others who see it as a sign that justice in India is aware and ready to engage with real-world problems by understanding the condition of the culprit and in what condition they committed that crime. And justice will not be served only on the basis of fact, and it will also observe the whole conditions in which that act was done. Simply “Kanoon ab aandha nahi raha, wo dekh sakta hai.”.
This change reminds us that justice should be animus et dignitas, compassionate and dignified.
The replacement of Sword with the Constitution of India is also a message towards society that justice is not only for serving punishment to the culprit, but it is also for protection of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India to its subjects.
Evolution of Judicial Symbols in India
When India achieved independence, it adopted mini symbols and laws from the western judicial systems, including the Lady of Justice, but over the passing time, India’s legal system has adapted this symbol to match the country’s culture and society.
This upgraded version of Lady of Justice represents a step forward in that adaptation. It seems to acknowledge that justice should respond to society’s unique needs and realities. And in a societal condition like India, which has the most diverse society in the world, it is the priority above all. Many law students and professionals might find this shift fascinating because it reflects ‘lex est quod populus iubet’ that is, the law is what the people demand. And with this change, the Hon'ble Supreme Court tries to reflect that the judiciary itself is responding to society’s evolving demands, ensuring that justice remains relevant.
A Message For Law Students: Moving From Theory To Practice
This news can be seen as a lesson for law students that justice is not just about studying laws and rules but about interpreting mens legis (the mind of the law). In other words, it can be interpreted that it is important that law students see justice as a living, responsive system that should add to society's changing needs.
This upgrade is also an invitation to think critically and to encourage students to ask questions like, “What should justice look like today?” “How can justice serve everyone equally?”
This new Lady of Justice reminds future lawyers that, beyond the laws written in books, justice has a spirit that should resonate with bonum commune (the common good) and to take actions on the loopholes.
Conclusion
The new statue of the Lady of Justice at the Supreme Court of India’s Library may look different from the earlier one, but it carries a powerful message that justice in India is adapting and evolving to meet the challenges of the contemporary world, and it does not take violent measures to do justice; in fact, it safeguards and protects the rights of citizens or its subjects, which is guaranteed by the Constitution of India. The new statute also has a message for different sections of society, like, for the common people, it suggests that the judiciary is not far removed or unaware of their struggles and conditions. It is actively engaged with them. For law students and professionals, it is a call to understand that justice is not about following rules but about applying them with insight, compassion, and purpose so that it can do equal treatment with the equals and try to cover all the loopholes that are not addressed by the codified laws.
The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India with a more vigilantly engaged Lady of Justice may be saying that justice is not a cold or distant concept but a vibrant and dynamic, in motu (in motion) force that responds to society’s needs. It sends a clear message to all of us to see justice not as a fixed statute but as a living symbol of fairness, one that remains committed to serving veritas et aequitas, i.e., truth and equity, which have to be provided in every sense.
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REFERENCES:
- ‘Justice Will No Longer Be Blind: Supreme Court Embraces New Symbolism’ (Business Standard, 17 October 2024) www.business-standard.com. accessed on 24th October 2024.
- ‘Law is Not Blind: Supreme Court of India Unveils New Justice Statue Without Blindfold’ (The Times of India, 15 October 2024) https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
- ‘What Does the New Lady Justice Statue Signify? Explained’ (The Hindu, 17 October 2024) https://www.thehindu.com.
- ‘Explained: Story of Lady Justice – From Greek Origins to Today’ (The Indian Express, 5 June 2023) https://indianexpress.com.