Supreme Court Installs New Statue of Justice Without Blindfold

In a significant move to break away from the age-old perception that "justice is blind," the Supreme Court of India has installed a new statue of the Goddess of Justice without a blindfold. The statue, previously depicted with a blindfold, holding scales in one hand and a sword in the other, has been replaced with a new version that shows her without the blindfold and holding the Constitution instead of a sword. This marks a symbolic shift in the portrayal of justice, which historically used the blindfold to signify impartiality.

The blindfold was intended to represent equality before the law, implying that Justice does not see wealth, power, caste, or religion when passing judgment. The sword was meant to symbolize punishment for wrongdoing and the power to enforce the law. However, the blindfold had also drawn criticism, with some arguing that it implied that justice was unable to see the truth, thus being "blind" to the real issues.

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud has addressed these concerns, spearheading the installation of the new statue at the Supreme Court's judges' library. In this new depiction, the Goddess of Justice stands without a blindfold, suggesting that justice is now more perceptive and can see the truth. Instead of a sword, she holds the Constitution of India, representing the nation's commitment to uphold constitutional principles and laws that promote fairness and justice.

This shift from the colonial-era image of justice with a sword and blindfold to one that reflects the values of the Indian Constitution signifies a modern approach to justice that is more aligned with truth and transparency.