Law Is No More Blind: Statue Of Justice In Supreme Court Indianised With New Message

In a significant departure from tradition, the statue representing justice has now been Indianised after undergoing a transformation. The once-familiar figure, typically depicted with a blindfold, now stands proudly without one at the Supreme Court judges' library, holding a constitution book in her hand. This change marks a profound shift in the symbolism of justice, sparking both interest and debate.

The blindfold, an iconic representation of justice, was originally intended to convey impartiality and objectivity. However, several argued that it also represented a lack of accountability and a disconnect from the realities of the people. Now, by removing the blindfold, the revamped statue embodies a new era of transparency and awareness.

New Representation Of Statue Of Justice Underscores Need For More Engaged Approach

Apart from the removal of the blindfold, the addition of the constitution book in one of the hands of the statue marks equal significance highlighting the importance of the legal framework that governs our society and serves as a reminder of the principles that guide the pursuit of justice. This updated representation of the goddess of justice underscores the need for a more informed and engaged approach to upholding the law.

Experts believe that the change is not merely aesthetic, but it reflects a deeper transformation in the understanding of justice. A senior Supreme Court advocate said, “The change acknowledges that the law is not a static entity, but a dynamic force that must adapt to the evolving needs of society.”

“By shedding the blindfold, the goddess of justice is no longer detached from the world around her. Instead, she is fully engaged, aware of the complexities and nuances that shape our lives,” the advocate said.

Another lawyer, Advocate Deepak Tyagi said, “As we gaze upon this new representation of justice, we are reminded that the law is a powerful tool, capable of both protecting and harming. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that it serves the greater good, upholding the principles of equality, fairness, and compassion and ensuring that the law truly serves the people.”

How Statue of Justice Was Conceptualised

The history of the Statue of Justice can be traced back to ancient mythology and the goddesses of justice from Egypt, Greece, and Rome. As per the information, from the dawn of civilization, justice was conceptualised as a divinity linked to the cosmic order, but it is from the Greek and Roman goddesses of Justice that today’s iconic symbol derives. In Greek mythology, the goddesses of justice are ‘Themis’ and her daughter ‘Dikl’, also known as ‘Astraea’. In ancient Rome, ‘Dikl’ was known as ‘Justitia’ and was a civil abstraction rather than a mythological deity. The Egyptian goddess of truth and order is also known as ‘Maat’.

Myth-making went hand-in-hand with the political propaganda of Renaissance Europe. In the emerging republics, Justitia became a powerful symbol of civil justice.

• Maat known as the Egyptian goddess of truth and order
• Themis known as the Greek goddess of divine law and custom
• Dike known as the Greek goddess of justice, was often depicted carrying scales
• Justitia known as the Roman goddess of justice, represented the morality of the justice system.

How Statue Of Justice Was Attributed Earlier:

• The blindfold symbolized fairness and that justice should not be based on appearance or other outside influences 
• The scales represented impartiality in the justice
• The sword in hand, symbolised power.