Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal praised the new justice statue at the Supreme Court, noting its updated features: “The blindfold on the statue has been removed and the sword replaced with the Constitution.” Meghwal called the design a tribute to the Constitution, while critics like Sanjay Raut called it propaganda.
Bikaner: The unveiling of a new Justice statue at the Supreme Court of India has sparked a nationwide conversation, with Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal praising the symbolic changes made to the traditional design. The new statue reflects an updated portrayal of Lady Justice, deviating from the conventional image of a blindfolded figure holding a sword, and instead, displaying open eyes and the Constitution of India.
Speaking to ANI, Union Minister Meghwal remarked on the significance of this transformation, emphasizing how it aligns with the values of India’s legal system.
“In some era, they said that justice is blind and that justice is served on the basis of the Constitution and the law. But when the judge gives justice, how can it be done without seeing?”
He further noted,
“The blindfold on the statue of justice has been removed, and the handheld sword is replaced with the Constitution. The new design is a great way to pay respect to the country’s constitution. My greetings to the CJI for this.”
The redesigned statue, now placed in the Supreme Court’s Judges’ Library, stands as a symbol that justice in India is not blind but is served with fairness, transparency, and guided by the Constitution. This move is being viewed as a tribute to India’s democratic principles and a break from colonial-era symbols.
While many welcomed the change, it also drew criticism from some political quarters. UBT Sena MP Sanjay Raut expressed strong opposition, suggesting the redesign was politically motivated.
“The court’s job is to protect the Constitution and serve justice as per the Constitution. But is it happening in the SC? What are they trying to prove by replacing the sword in the hand of the justice statue with the Constitution? They are already killing the Constitution, and by removing the blindfold from the statue, they want everyone to openly see corruption and the murder of the Constitution… This is a propaganda and a campaign of the BJP and RSS,”
said Raut.
The unveiling of the statue comes at a time of significant transition within the judiciary. Earlier in the day, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud proposed Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the second-most senior judge of the Supreme Court, as his successor. CJI Chandrachud will retire on November 10, and upon approval by the government, Justice Khanna will assume the position of the 51st Chief Justice of India, serving a six-month tenure until May 13, 2025.
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The symbolic shift in the statue’s design, combined with the change in leadership at the Supreme Court, is being seen as a reflection of India’s evolving judicial landscape. The decision to replace the sword with the Constitution underscores the commitment of the court to uphold constitutional values, emphasizing that justice is dispensed with open eyes, clarity, and fairness for all.
As the new statue graces the Supreme Court, it stands as a bold statement of justice in modern India—visible, accountable, and rooted in the nation’s founding legal principles.
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