The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), led by its President Kapil Sibal, has officially voiced its opposition to the recent modifications made to the iconic Lady Justice statue and the Supreme Court’s emblem. These changes, enacted without consultation with the Bar, have sparked significant discontent within the legal community.
On October 22, the SCBA’s Executive Committee passed a resolution criticizing the unilateral actions by the Supreme Court administration under Chief Justice DY Chandrachud. The resolution expressed surprise and concern over the lack of dialogue with key stakeholders in the justice system about these “radical changes.”
The traditional symbols of the Lady Justice — a blindfold symbolizing impartiality and a sword representing the power to enforce justice — have been replaced in the new statue. According to sources within the Chief Justice’s office, this redesign aligns with Justice Chandrachud’s advocacy for moving beyond the colonial legacies embedded in India’s legal framework. The new statue features Lady Justice in a saree, holding the Indian Constitution in one hand and scales in the other, conspicuously absent a blindfold.
“This modification reflects a more evolved understanding of justice, one that emphasizes constitutional morality over archaic symbols of power,” explained a source from the Chief Justice’s office.
The unveiling of the Supreme Court’s new flag and insignia by President Droupadi Murmu last month was part of a broader initiative to redefine legal symbols in India. The new flag features a blue background and incorporates elements like the Ashoka Chakra and the Supreme Court building, while the new emblem bears the phrase “Yato Dharmastato Jayah” in Devanagari script.
However, the SCBA has also raised objections to other decisions by the Supreme Court administration, such as the establishment of a museum in the space previously designated for a Judges’ Library. The Bar had proposed the creation of a new library and a café-cum-lounge to better serve its members, but these suggestions were overlooked.
“We find ourselves excluded from decisions that affect not only the symbols of our profession but also the very amenities that support our work,” stated the SCBA resolution. The Bar continues to demand a reconsideration of the space allocation to better meet the needs of its members.
