In a landmark moment, the Indian judiciary has taken a bold step towards redefining its image. The familiar iconography of ‘Lady Justice’ – a blindfolded woman holding a sword -has been reshaped into an open-eyed, saree-clad figure holding the Constitution. This new statue was unveiled by Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, on the premises of the Supreme Court, signaling a paradigm shift in how justice is perceived in modern India. This transformation is emblematic of a broader movement within India, spearheaded by the Narendra Modi government, to shed the remnants of colonial rule. From renaming Rajpath to Kartavya Path, to removing statues that represent British imperialism, the Modi-led administration has been relentless in its efforts to replace symbols of the British Raj with those that reflect India’s own rich cultural heritage. The new statue of ‘Lady Justice’ is the latest example of this ongoing decolonization process.The previous statue of Lady Justice, draped in Western robes, blindfolded, and wielding a sword, was a symbol that India inherited from British legal traditions. The blindfold was meant to signify impartiality – justice should not be swayed by personal biases. The sword, meanwhile, represented the authority and power of the law to punish wrongdoing. However, in contemporary India, where the judiciary has evolved in tandem with the country’s technological and socio-political advancements, the symbolism of blindness no longer feels appropriate. The new, open-eyed ‘Lady Justice’ sends a powerful message: Indian justice is not blind, it sees everything clearly, and is committed to fairness, transparency, and the constitutional values enshrined in India’s founding document.
The decision to replace the sword with the Constitution of India underscores the judiciary’s evolving role in safeguarding the rights of citizens. This move reflects a greater emphasis on constitutional values rather than on punitive measures. It reinforces the idea that justice is not just about punishment, but about upholding the rule of law and ensuring equality before it. The Constitution, as the cornerstone of Indian democracy, is now symbolically placed in the hands of Lady Justice, sending a clear message that the judiciary’s primary role is to defend constitutional rights and values for all. The Modi government’s broader initiative to overhaul colonial-era laws fits neatly into this new judicial vision. Recent efforts to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and other outdated laws with modern, robust frameworks indicate the government’s desire to streamline the legal process, plug loopholes, and ensure that justice is swift and effective. By incorporating the latest technology, including the admissibility of electronic evidence and live-streaming of important court proceedings, the judiciary has made significant strides toward greater transparency and efficiency. These changes are designed to close the escape routes that criminals often find in archaic laws, reinforcing that justice is not only clear-sighted but also technologically savvy.
The saree-clad figure of Lady Justice is another important element of this transformation. It represents a shift away from Western symbolism and towards a reflection of Indian culture. The saree, an iconic symbol of Indian womanhood, is a fitting garment for a statue meant to symbolize the country’s justice system. This sartorial shift also reflects India’s self-assurance on the global stage, as it continues to develop as a world power while remaining deeply rooted in its own cultural identity. While some may argue that the blindfold was an important symbol of judicial impartiality, the removal of it in the new statue does not suggest the judiciary is now biased. On the contrary, the open eyes signify that justice is not indifferent or unaware – it is vigilant, alert, and actively engaged in ensuring fairness. As Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized, the judiciary is committed to “seeing everyone equally.” It is not blind to the injustices faced by the marginalized, nor is it indifferent to the complexities of modern society. In otherwords, the unveiling of this new statue is a symbolic yet profound statement about the evolution of Indian justice. By removing the blindfold and placing the Constitution at the center of its imagery, India’s judiciary has made clear that it is committed to justice that is both transparent and rooted in the country’s constitutional principles. It is an institution that sees, hears, and upholds the rights of every citizen with a clear-eyed vision of fairness and equity, leaving behind the colonial legacy of ‘blind’ justice in favor of an open-eyed, vigilant system that reflects the aspirations of modern India.
