The ‘new’ Justitia and Reimagining Justice

The recent installation of a six-foot white statue of an open-eyed Justitia at the Supreme Court of India has sparked public debate. The statue, commissioned by the then Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud in October 2024, features Justitia without a blindfold, holding scales in her right hand and the Constitution of India in her left hand. The installation aims to signify that "Law is not blind; it sees everyone equally," but this interpretation challenges historical and cultural precedents, including the existing open-eyed Justitia statue at the Bombay High Court.

Historical Background of Justitia's Iconography

• Roman and Ancient Imagery: Allegorical depictions of Justitia in ancient Roman, Greek, and Egyptian cultures often portrayed her with open eyes, symbolizing the ability to discern and weigh cases based on merit, as evidenced by early Roman coins.
• Transformation of Blindfolded Justice in Europe: By the late 15th century, the blindfold over Justitia’s eyes emerged as a symbol of impartiality and equality before the law, transforming from a satirical emblem of helplessness to a positive symbol of neutrality, as seen in European artwork.
• Modern Interpretations of Justice: The open-eyed representation of Justitia at the Supreme Court contrasts with the traditional blindfolded icon, raising questions about the symbolism of "seeing" justice, especially in relation to contemporary issues like caste, gender, and religion.

Cultural and Theological Significance

• Mural Inspiration and Symbolism: The statue's design appears to draw from a mural in the Supreme Court's CJI's courtroom, depicting a sari-clad goddess of justice. This representation blends the iconography of Justitia with elements of Hindu goddesses, a potent cultural reference that might influence interpretations of justice in India.
• Interpretations of the Goddess and Constitution: The mural, which includes a book near the goddess, has been interpreted as symbolizing the Indian Constitution, contrasting with the historical idea of the Dharma Shastra, which historically restricted knowledge to certain caste and gender groups.
• Controversial Public Interpretations: The open-eyed Justitia statue has sparked interpretations on social media, with some seeing it as a sign of justice considering caste, religion, and political identities. This reflects growing public desire for greater inclusivity and accessibility in India’s higher judiciary.

Implications for Justice Representation and Inclusivity

• Need for Inclusive Representation in Justice Iconography: The installation of the Justitia statue, alongside other statues like R. Ambedkar's, suggests a broader effort to represent inclusivity in the judiciary, but also raises questions about the potential for reinforcing or challenging existing social hierarchies.
• Challenging Judicial Norms through Art and Aesthetics: There is a growing debate about whether justice should be re-envisioned through art as a symbol of struggle, protest, or lived experience, representing values such as feminism, anti-caste ideology, secularism, and judicial independence.
• Avoiding New Forms of Discrimination: While the intent behind such symbols may be to promote equality, there is a cautionary reminder that the decolonization of justice should not inadvertently reproduce new forms of social discrimination or state violence.

Practice Question

Q. The open-eyed Justitia statue at the Supreme Court of India has sparked debates on justice representation in India. In light of the historical evolution of Justitia's iconography and contemporary challenges, critically examine the implications of such symbols in promoting equality, inclusivity, and judicial independence in India.