THE EYES OF EQUITY

Introduction

The four pillars of Indian democracy are the executive, legislature, judiciary, and media. Legislative; the law-making body, Executive; the law-enforcing body, Judiciary; the courts that interpret and apply laws and the media; which acts as a watch dog and promotes transparency to the public. The Judiciary does the work of delivering Justice, it ensures that justice prevails and the Constitution is upheld.

On October 16, 2024, a significant change was made in the symbol of justice that reflects the changing approach of delivering justice. The current Chief Justice of India unveiled the new statue of Lady Justice at the Supreme Court of India that features open eyes and holds the Indian Constitution Instead of a sword, marking the symbolic shift towards a more inclusive and conditionally aligned representation of justice.

The Traditional Symbol

The traditional symbol of lady justice originates from ancient Roman mythology where she was depicted as the goddess of Justitia, it can be traced back to around 22 A.D. on the coins. The image had the blindfold that meant that justice should be delivered without any bias, treating everyone equally, the scales symbolizing the weight of evidence when justice is presented and a sword that denoted power and authority of the judiciary. This classic representation emphasized the core values of fairness, objectivity and the rule of law in the judicial process but over time it was pointed out that it fails to address the complexities of contemporary justice issues as it depicted a narrow concept of justice rather than a broader one.

The New Era of Lady Justice

The new statue of Lady Justice reflects a commitment to modernizing the judiciary carrying along the Indian values. The new statue is with open eyes signifying that justice is not blind but still, everyone is equal in the eyes of the law. It highlights the awareness and active pursuit of judiciary and responsive to cases as the case circumstances demand.

The statue now holds the foundation of justice, the Constitution of India, instead of a sword. This emphasizes that all the decisions by the judiciary are guided by fundamental principles of equality, liberty and fraternity, reinforcing the rule of law and justice being delivered in accordance with the sacred book of law.

The lady now instead of a classical Greco-Roman robe adorns herself with a traditional Indian garment, a saree. It emphasizes the connection between judiciary and the Indian values and traditions, signifying the grace, dignity and strength synonymous with the judicial system’s role in society.

The broken Chains

The broken chains represent an absolute shift in the understanding and quest for justice.

1. Liberation from Oppression: Breaking Chains reminds one of the struggle against institutional oppression and historical concept tied into slavery, colonialism, and other social injustices. It symbolizes liberation not only in the form of physical freedom but also of norms and systems in society that allow inequality to subsist.
2. Group Empowerment: Breaking the chains symbolized action for mass power and the source of justice. It made visible the fact that the struggle was not someone else's but that of all. This can be seen through movements like Black Lives Matter, and Women's March, among others. This shows that it is possible for those being marginalized to come together with common injustices to bring forward a stronger case of why collective action is necessary.
3. Healed and Renewed: Although the broken chains symbolize freedom, it is somewhat healing or restoration that has occurred. It is a process of acknowledging injustice, acts to make it right once again, and hope for a just world that is to come. Thus, the broken chains criticize punitive systems of justice with methodologies that centre on healing to the victim and accountability to the perpetrator-a theme also echoed within the broken chains themselves relating to transformation.
4. Cultural Revival: the chains are utilized for the gathering of organized indigenous activism, where the prime necessity is to try to solve past grievances and attain the right to confer rights on Indigenous peoples.

Conclusion

While these statues embody hope and progress, translating symbolic changes into practice is complex. Systemic injustices persist, and activists must navigate diverse meanings to resonate with different communities without oversimplifying issues. Effective advocacy requires practical policy changes, grassroots mobilization, and educational efforts to address the roots of injustice.

The journey to justice is challenging, but symbols like the broken chains inspire us to strive for equity and transformation. As we build bridges to mutual understanding, solidarity, and healing, we remember that true justice involves breaking chains and fostering a more inclusive society.

Reference

Image Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/6H2XnSYRqWsGvSFU7

Cases and Statutes:

1. Constitution of India.
2. Supreme Court of India, New Statue of Lady Justice Unveiled (Oct. 16, 2024).

Books and Articles:

1. Justice and Symbols: A Historical Perspective (2024).
2. The Role of Judiciary in Modern India (2024).

Online Sources:

1. “Symbolism in Justice: The Evolution of Lady Justice,” Journal of Legal Studies (2024),
2. “Breaking Chains: The Quest for Justice in Contemporary India,” Legal Review (2024).

The author affirms that this article is an entirely original work, never before submitted for publication at any journal, blog or other publication avenue. Any unintentional resemblance to previously published material is purely coincidental. This article is intended solely for academic and scholarly discussion. The author takes personal responsibility for any potential infringement of intellectual property rights belonging to any individuals, organizations, governments, or institutions