SC Bar Association Opposes Changes Made To 'Lady Justice' Statue: 'Unaware Of Rationale Behind Modifications'

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has passed a resolution opposing the alterations made to the Supreme Court's emblem and the statue of 'Lady Justice' without consulting its members.

The newly installed Lady Justice statue at the Supreme Court has discarded its traditional blindfold, with the Constitution now replacing the sword in one hand, symbolising that in India, the law is neither blind nor punitive.

While Lady Justice has conventionally been portrayed with her eyes covered, the new statue has its eyes uncovered to convey that the law is not blind.

"The Executive Committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association observes that recently some radical changes have been made by the Supreme Court unilaterally, such as alterations to its emblem and the statue of Lady Justice, without consulting the Bar. We are equal stakeholders in the administration of justice, but these changes, when proposed, were never brought to our attention. We are completely unaware of the rationale behind these modifications," the resolution states.

The scales symbolised balance and fairness, while the sword represented the power of the law. However, the new statue is seen as an effort to shed the colonial legacy and stress that the law in new India is not blind. The statue now stands prominently at the judges' library in the Supreme Court.

The SCBA has also raised objections to the proposed museum in the former judges' library, asserting that it had previously requested a cafe-cum-lounge for its members, as the current cafeteria does not adequately meet their needs.

"Now a museum has apparently been proposed in the former Judges' Library, whereas we had asked for a Library, Cafe cum Lounge for the Bar members, as the current cafeteria is insufficient to cater to their needs. We are concerned that despite our objection to the proposed museum in the former Judges' Library, work has already commenced on the museum," the SCBA adds in the resolution.