'Clueless on rationale behind changes': SCBA on new Lady Justice statue and emblem

In a unanimous resolution, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has raised concerns over what it describes as "radical changes" made to the statue of Lady Justice and the Supreme Court’s emblem without prior consultation with the Bar. The newly installed six-foot-tall sculpture of 'Lady Justice,' located in the judges' library of the Supreme Court of India, is notably different from traditional depictions.

The statue, dressed in white traditional attire, holds scales in one hand and the Constitution in the other, but is missing both the sword and her iconic blindfold. Instead, she wears a crown, symbolizing a departure from the archetypal imagery of Justice as blind and armed with the sword of law.

The SCBA's resolution, signed by president Kapil Sibal and other executive committee members, expresses frustration at these changes being implemented without input from the legal community. "We are equal stakeholders in the administration of justice, but these changes were never brought to our attention," the resolution states. "We are totally clueless on the rationale behind these changes."

The Bar also objected to the Supreme Court's plan to construct a museum in a high-security zone, a location where the SCBA had previously requested the establishment of a library and a cafe-lounge for Bar members. The association emphasised the current inadequacy of the Bar’s cafeteria, which struggles to meet the needs of its members. "Now a museum has apparently been proposed in the erstwhile judges' library whereas we had demanded a library and a cafe-lounge for the members of the Bar," the SCBA stated. "We are concerned that despite our objections, work has already commenced on the museum."

Kapil Sibal, SCBA president, underscored the importance of consulting the legal community before making such changes, stating, "These decisions impact all of us. As members of the Bar, we are essential participants in the legal system, and our voices must be heard."

The debate over the new depiction of Lady Justice touches on her historical and mythological origins. Often associated with the Greek goddess Justitia, Lady Justice has traditionally been portrayed as blindfolded, symbolising impartiality and fairness, and holding a sword to represent the might of the law.

However, not all sculptures of Lady Justice include a blindfold; scholars suggest this element was a later addition to her visual symbolism. The Supreme Court's decision to omit both the blindfold and the sword has sparked conversation about whether these changes reflect a shift in the understanding of justice itself.

The SCBA’s concerns reflect a broader conversation about the role of tradition and symbolism in the judiciary. As Sibal aptly put it, "Symbols matter. They carry meaning and history, and when they change, we must understand why."