The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has raised significant concerns over the recent changes made by the Supreme Court of India, particularly regarding the new ‘Lady Justice’ statue and the alteration of the court’s emblem. In a strongly worded resolution, the SCBA expressed its displeasure, highlighting that these changes were made without any consultation with the Bar Association, which considers itself a key stakeholder in the administration of justice.
The new statue of Lady Justice, now installed at the judges’ library in the Supreme Court, departs from the traditional imagery. Traditionally, Lady Justice has been portrayed blindfolded, symbolizing impartiality, with scales in one hand representing balance and fairness, and a sword in the other hand, symbolizing the power of law. However, the new statue has its eyes open, and instead of holding a sword, it now carries a copy of the Indian Constitution in one hand.
This shift in representation, according to some, is aimed at shedding the colonial legacy of the judiciary and conveying the message that law in India is neither blind nor punitive. Instead, the open-eyed Lady Justice is meant to emphasize that the law is aware, conscious, and compassionate. The replacement of the sword with the Constitution underscores the guiding principles of justice in a modern India, based on the country’s own foundational legal text.
Despite these symbolic changes, the SCBA has expressed deep dissatisfaction with how the alterations were introduced. According to the Bar Association, no prior consultation was sought before implementing such significant modifications. The SCBA’s resolution pointed out that as representatives of the legal profession and equal participants in the justice system, they should have been informed and consulted about the new designs.
“It is observed by the Executive Committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association that recently some radical changes have been brought in by the Supreme Court unilaterally like the change of its emblem and the change in the statue of Lady Justice without consultation with the Bar. We are equal stakeholders in the administration of justice, but these changes, when proposed, were never brought to our attention,” the SCBA stated in its resolution.
The Bar Association’s statement makes clear that its members are “totally clueless” about the rationale behind these changes. The SCBA’s Executive Committee has noted that such important symbolic shifts in the court’s representation should not have been made without wider discussion, particularly with those who regularly practice before the court.
The changes are seen as a move toward a new legal era in India, one that moves beyond colonial imagery and strives to reflect a more progressive and aware system of justice. However, the lack of dialogue has created friction between the judiciary and the Bar, two institutions that work together closely in the delivery of justice.
In addition to the issue with the Lady Justice statue, the SCBA has also raised objections to another proposal: the transformation of the erstwhile judges’ library into a museum. The Bar Association claims it had previously requested the establishment of a cafe-cum-lounge in the space for its members, as the existing cafeteria is insufficient to meet the needs of the growing Bar. However, despite these requests, work has already begun to convert the area into a museum without addressing the Bar’s concerns.
More Read
“Now a museum has apparently been proposed in the erstwhile judges’ library whereas we had demanded a Library, Cafe cum Lounge for the members of the Bar, as the present cafeteria is inadequate to cater to the needs of the members of the Bar,” the SCBA added in its statement.
The tension between the SCBA and the Supreme Court appears to reflect a broader issue regarding communication and collaboration between the Bar and the Bench. While the judiciary seeks to make symbolic and functional changes in the institution, the Bar Association is calling for more inclusion in these processes, asserting that the legal profession as a whole should have a voice in decisions that affect the legal landscape.
As the debate continues, the changes, particularly the new Lady Justice statue, have become a focal point of discussion regarding the evolving nature of India’s judiciary and its attempt to balance tradition with modernity. Whether the SCBA’s concerns will lead to further dialogue remains to be seen, but the current rift underscores the need for better communication between all key players in the legal system.
