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Supreme Court’s Bar Association objects unilateral changes to Lady Justice statue, emblem

Bar association also opposes move to construct museum in Court's premises. Demands cafe cum lounge for Bar members

New Lady Justice statue | X

The Supreme Court Bar Association has passed a resolution, opposing the changes made to Lady Justice’s statue and the apex court’s emblem without consulting the Bar. The association, in a unanimous resolution, opposed the move to set up a museum in the Court premises.

The association questioned the “radical changes” brought to the symbols and questioned the rationale behind the decision. “We are equal stakeholders in the administration of justice but these changes when proposed, were never brought to our attention. We are totally clueless on the rationale behind these changes," it said. The SCBA headed by Kapil Sibal unanimously passed the resolution. 

The new flag and emblem of the Supreme Court were unveiled by President Droupadi Murmu on September 1, to commemorate the 75thyear of the Supreme Court. The new 'Lady Justice'  statue in the judges’ library is six-foot-tall, and is seen holding scales in one hand and the Constitution in the other, sans the sword. Dressed in white traditional attire, the 'Goddess of Justice' is without her blindfold and sword. She is also wearing a crown on her head, PTI reported.

The association also opposed the move to set up a museum in the Court’s premises, in the space where the SCBA has been demanding a cafe cum lounge for Bar members. "Now a museum has apparently been proposed in the erstwhile judges' library whereas we had demanded a library, cafe cum lounge for the members of the Bar as the present cafeteria is inadequate to cater to the needs of the members of the Bar. We are concerned that despite our objection raised against the proposed museum in the erstwhile judges' library, work has started for the museum," it said.

The SCBA opposed the move to construct a museum in the high-security zone and pressed for the cafe cum lounge for lawyers.

According to reports, the origin of 'Lady Justice' is commonly associated with Justitia, the Greek goddess of justice. While the blindfold signified impartiality, the sword signified the might of law.