India's Lady of Justice Gets a Makeover: Out with the Blindfold, In with the Constitution – Another Colonial Legacy Laid to Rest.

In a bold and transformative move symbolising India’s shift towards an inclusive and modern legal system, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud unveiled a redesigned statue of Lady Justice on October 16, 2024. This new statue, now placed in the Judges' Library at the Supreme Court, removes the traditional blindfold and replaces the sword with the Indian Constitution. It marks a significant departure from colonial-era symbols of justice and aligns with the country's constitutional values.

The History of Lady Justice

The concept of Lady Justice is rooted in ancient mythology, representing fairness and morality in legal systems. The Egyptian goddess Ma’at, Greek goddess Themis, and Roman goddess Justitia were early inspirations, each embodying the ideals of truth, law, and justice. These ancient figures laid the foundation for the Lady Justice statue we recognise today—dressed in robes, holding scales, a sword, and often blindfolded.

What Does She Look Like?

The traditional image of Lady Justice is a woman in a toga, holding a pair of scales in one hand to symbolise fairness and a sword in the other, representing authority. In some depictions, she also wears a blindfold, which historically symbolised objectivity, indicating that justice is blind to external influences like wealth or power.

Origins of the Lady Justice Statue

The imagery of Lady Justice evolved from Ma’at in ancient Egypt, who symbolised truth and balance. Later, Themis governed divine law and order in Greek mythology, while her daughter Dike represented justice over human law, often depicted with scales. The Romans later enshrined Justitia as the personification of moral justice, merging these ideas into the Lady Justice symbol we see today.

The Symbols of Justice

1. Scales: Represent impartiality, ensuring both sides of a case are weighed equally.
2. Sword: Symbolises authority and enforcement, ensuring that justice is upheld.
3. Blindfold: Traditionally signified impartiality, showing that justice is blind to wealth, status, and power.

Why the Changes Matter

1. The Blindfold Removed

The removal of the blindfold is perhaps the most symbolic departure from the colonial-era image of Lady Justice. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud emphasised that "justice sees everyone equally" and that in a modern, inclusive India, the judicial system should acknowledge the social realities it addresses. The idea of blind justice, while historically important, may seem outdated in a world striving for transparency and accountability.

In a diverse and complex society like India’s, justice cannot afford to be blind. The new Lady Justice embodies the principle that justice should be informed and aware of the unique challenges faced by citizens from different backgrounds, ensuring fairness for all, not just in principle but in practice.

2. Constitution in Place of the Sword

The replacement of the sword with the Indian Constitution signifies a shift from authority and punishment to constitutional values. The sword, a symbol of force, has given way to the Constitution—a representation of the rule of law, human rights, and the guiding principles that ensure justice in India.

This change emphasises that India’s justice system is rooted in the values of equality, liberty, and justice, as enshrined in the Constitution. The focus is no longer on wielding power but on ensuring that justice is delivered through a legal framework that is fair, democratic, and inclusive.

3. Retaining the Scales of Justice

While the blindfold and sword have been replaced, the scales remain a central feature. They continue to symbolise the need to weigh evidence and arguments from all sides impartially, ensuring that justice is balanced, fair, and free from bias.

Moving Away from Colonial Legacy

This redesign of Lady Justice is part of a broader effort by India to move away from colonial-era symbols and create a legal identity that resonates with its constitutional values. The shift also aligns with other legal reforms, such as the introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, aimed at replacing outdated colonial laws with modern legal frameworks.

As Chief Justice Chandrachud has articulated, India’s legal system must evolve in line with the principles enshrined in its Constitution, shedding colonial legacies in favour of symbols that better reflect the country’s commitment to equality, fairness, and justice for all.

Addressing Counterarguments

While this transformation has been widely celebrated, some traditionalists argue that the blindfold is an essential symbol of impartiality and that its removal might dilute the perception of objectivity. However, this critique overlooks the fact that the Indian judiciary is already evolving beyond outdated notions of blind justice. In a diverse democracy like India, justice must not be blind—it must be aware, informed, and equitable.

The sword's removal has also faced criticism, with some suggesting that it diminishes the judiciary's authority. On the contrary, replacing the sword with the Constitution strengthens the foundation of India’s legal system, demonstrating that justice is enforced not through coercion but through the rule of law.

A Positive Change in the Right Direction

This redesign of Lady Justice is more than just a visual update—it represents a powerful shift in how justice is perceived and administered in India. The removal of the blindfold signifies that justice should be active and aware of the diverse challenges faced by citizens. The Constitution replacing the sword reflects a commitment to constitutional values over force, ensuring that justice is dispensed in line with the principles of equality, fairness, and human rights.

As India moves forward, this new symbol of justice serves as a reminder that our legal system is not static but continually evolving to better serve its people.