Appreciating the historic change in the image of the symbolic statue of Lady of Justice, a member of the Uniform Civil Code Committee, Uttarakhand, has congratulated Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud for ensuring that justice in the country is “delivered with open eyes”.
In a major development in the history of India’s legal system a few days ago, the symbolic statue of Lady of Justice found in courts and other related institutions, appeared in a new avatar without the traditional blindfold and the sword in one of its hands.
The blindfold was removed and the Constitution replaced the sword, stressing that the law is not blind and nor does it symbolize punishment.
“It is refreshing to hear of your decision to take the blindfold off from the eyes of the Goddess of Justice and substitute her sword with a book,” Manu Gaur member, Uniform Civil Code Committee, Uttarakhand, said in a latter that he wrote to the Chief Justice of India on Friday, October 18.
“This monumental move fills me with a profound sense of pride and elation. I am writing to convey my heartfelt regards and to congratulate you for shattering the slavish shackles of colonial symbolism and reaffirming to all citizens of Bharat that justice in India is delivered with open eyes, weighing all aspects of every issue with the utmost care, consideration, and conscientiousness. You have underlined that the authority of law derives from the illustrious Constitution of India,” he added.
Gaur further said European depiction of Lady Justice, India “unconsciously borrowed and uncritically retained”, features a blindfold to symbolize fairness.
Over time, especially in colonial regimes, this symbol gained contrary connotations of ignorance, prejudice, and insensitivity toward the common man, he said.
The new symbolism aptly captures the spirit of the Uniform Civil Code in the sense intended by the framers of the Constitution of India.
It is the same spirit that has led to Supreme Court of India to time and again urge the cause of a common civil code. It is the same spirit that led to the substitution of the word, ‘Dand’ in Bhartiya Dand Sanhita (IPC) by the word, ‘Nyaya’ in the new Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the letter read.
“In closing, I once again extend my heartfelt congratulations to you for this progressive change. Your vision inspires faith in the judicial system and brings it closer to the people of Bharat,” Gaur added, with a wish that the transformation continue to steer India towards greater transparency, fairness, and accessibility for all.
Chandrachud’s initiative to transform the statue of Lady of Justice, which was placed on the cover page of the draft of Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code 2024, is being praised by many.
The new statue has been placed in the Supreme Court judges’ library.
