Rushed Replacement of Lady Justice Sparks Controversy

The sudden replacement of Lady Justice’s statue in India’s Supreme Court with a new Nyaya ki Devi has ignited public debate. Outgoing Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dr. D.Y. Chandrachud unveiled the new figure just days before his retirement, sparking questions about his motivation and urgency in making this change.

The Rapid Transition to Nyaya ki Devi

The original statue of Lady Justice had symbolized fairness in the Judges’ Library of India’s Supreme Court for over 75 years. Yet in recent days, CJI Chandrachud personally introduced Nyaya ki Devi to replace it, leaving many to wonder why this shift couldn’t wait. The statue’s creator, Vinod Goswami, revealed to the Times of India that the rushed timeline led them to use fiberglass instead of bronze.

Critics question: Why the urgency? This figure, symbolic of the judiciary, had no urgent need for replacement. Some suggest Chandrachud aimed to leave a personal mark on the institution before his retirement on November 10, 2024.

Decolonization Efforts in the Judiciary

This change comes amid government efforts to “decolonize” Indian laws, pushed by the Narendra Modi-led BJP. The party’s focus on shedding India’s colonial past has led to renaming old laws and criminal codes in Sanskritized Hindi. However, critics argue these changes are largely cosmetic. While the British-era names have been replaced, significant provisions remain the same, raising concerns that these laws push India closer to a “police state.”

For instance, the newly named Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replaces the Indian Penal Code, but the foundational legal principles remain. CJI Chandrachud, in several public addresses, has vocally supported decolonization. His endorsement of Nyaya ki Devi aligns with this theme, signaling his vision of a “post-colonial” judicial symbol for India.

The Power of Symbols and Lady Justice’s Legacy

Symbols shape meaning. Lady Justice, in various cultures, embodies fairness, impartiality, and law. Her image, with scales and a blindfold, evolved over centuries and combined influences from Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Jewish traditions. Historically, her blindfold symbolized impartiality, suggesting that justice sees no status—only facts.

The new Nyaya ki Devi challenges this legacy. It replaces Lady Justice’s universally recognized symbolism with a local deity’s image, one that might seem foreign to India’s non-Hindu or non-upper-caste communities. Many wonder if this shift erodes a longstanding universal symbol in favor of a limited cultural interpretation.

What Nyaya ki Devi Represents

The new statue’s image diverges sharply from the original. Draped in a saree with a visible face, she lacks Lady Justice’s blindfold. According to reports, CJI Chandrachud believed the blindfold was unnecessary, claiming it was a colonial symbol that India no longer needed. The open eyes of Nyaya ki Devi supposedly represent an “inclusive” view of justice, as opposed to an impartial one.

Yet, this rationale seems contradictory. Justice’s blindfold signifies impartiality. Historically, it had no colonial roots—it was a universal emblem for justice across cultures, not a British import. Critics argue the new statue could unintentionally signal bias or exclusivity rather than fairness.

Does Justice in India Now Have a “Face”?

Justice, ideally, is beyond bias. The face of the new Nyaya ki Devi, however, reflects specific cultural features that some interpret as exclusionary. Her North Indian look—long face, almond-shaped eyes, and fair skin—doesn’t represent all Indian communities. Her prominent nose, saree blouse, and crown further distance her from diverse cultural groups in India, particularly from South Indian, Adivasi, and Muslim communities.

For centuries, Lady Justice’s imagery unified global values of impartial justice. The new Nyaya ki Devi, however, represents a particular cultural image. If justice’s new symbol reflects only a segment of society, does it truly uphold ideals of inclusivity?

The Broader Implications of Nyaya ki Devi

Some observers argue that this transition towards a culturally specific justice symbol aligns with a nationalist agenda. The BJP’s decolonization rhetoric often links Indian identity to Hindu symbolism, seen in various public spaces and government reforms. In this light, the statue’s North Indian look and removal of the blindfold may be read as a message that justice is now “open-eyed”—acknowledging community, caste, and identity.

CJI Chandrachud’s decision to unveil the statue days before his departure raises additional concerns. Was this statue a meaningful legacy for him, or a rushed attempt to align with the government’s decolonization ideals?

The Role of a Justice Symbol in Modern India

Symbols, though non-living, have powerful effects. Lady Justice’s image transcended cultural boundaries, offering an impartial icon for fairness. With Nyaya ki Devi, India’s judiciary takes a new, arguably divisive path. Critics argue that the change may diminish the judiciary’s broader, unbiased image in favor of a more specific, culturally laden one.

As Nyaya ki Devi now stands in the Supreme Court, questions remain: Will she uphold fairness across all communities, or will her visible, culturally specific appearance convey an unintended message? Only time will reveal if India’s new “face of justice” can bridge divides or deepen them.