The form of the Goddess of Justice, which was kept as a decoration, was changed as per the wishes of the judges. But the English language, feudal system and the custom of dates of the common people are being determined by the colonial legacy. Will the opening of the eyes of the Goddess of Justice lead to improvements in the judicial infrastructure?Let us know here in detail.
Changes were started before independence
The campaign to remove the symbols of slavery and colonialism had started even before independence. The removal of the statue of George V from India Gate, the construction of a new Parliament, renaming of cities and roads and three new criminal laws reflect the efforts in that direction. In the 75th year of the constitution, the new flag and logo of the Supreme Court was unveiled by the President. After the installation of Dr. Ambedkar's statue in the Supreme Court premises, a clock of justice has been installed to give details of judicial work. In the same sequence, the changes in the form of the Goddess of Justice should be seen.
These changes were made in Goddess of Justice
The concept of building a new statue on the occasion of Constitution Day last year has been completed by the CPWD department of the Central Government. The eye-patch and the sword in the hand have been removed in the new six-foot statue made of fiberglass. Now the eyes of the Goddess of Justice are open and a book like the Constitution has been placed in the right hand, removing the sword. Along with keeping the scale in the right hand instead of the left, both the pans are equal. The new statue has been dressed according to Indian tradition.
People's reaction to new change
There was a tradition of Justitia, the goddess of justice, in the ancient Roman Empire. In the Greek Empire and medieval Europe, the sword was a major symbol of justice. The legacy of balance in justice through the scales was inherited from Egypt. Some people are opposing the changes made in the goddess of justice. Many people are happy with the possibility of the end of the blind age and the era of blind law after the blindfold is removed. The purpose of changes in the symbols of the goddess of justice is to improve the judicial system. Therefore, meaningful discussions on important questions related to reality are necessary.
Will people get justice ?
After independence, monarchy ended and everyone has been given equal status in the Constitution of India. Traditionally, blindfolds are associated with impartiality. Therefore, judges should decide the case according to the law without differentiating between big and small, their own and others. But in reality, it is believed that people get justice according to the influence of the litigants and the status of the lawyers, i.e. face law. Big criminals do not come under the grip of law. If by chance they get arrested, they get bail on the strength of expensive lawyers. On the other hand, lakhs of poor, illiterate and deprived class people are imprisoned. Will the poor and the common people get justice soon after the blindfold is removed?
Sword replaced by Book
Considering the sword as a symbol of violence, it has been replaced by a book like the Constitution. Justice has also been talked about in the three new criminal laws instead of punishment. Thousands of criminals may be spared, but not a single innocent should be punished. But in reality, the police and the judicial system arrest thousands of innocent people and release the big criminals. More than five crore cases are pending in the High Court and district courts. How will the changes in the form of the Goddess of Justice in the Supreme Court provide relief to the common people in the crores of pending cases of the district courts? Everyone has the fundamental right to speedy justice in the Constitution. Will the custom of date after date end after the new statue?
Courts are not provided proper infrastructure
The Constitution emphasizes on decentralization and Panchayati Raj. According to the law of the year 2008, village courts should be formed in the country. Initially, there was talk of setting up 2500 courts, out of which 500 were set up and only 314 are working. In Karnataka, a magistrate resolved only 114 cases in four years. 25 percent of judges are not being recruited in district courts and high courts because there are no rooms for them to sit and staff to work. State governments are not providing proper resources and basic machinery to district courts. Despite discussions for many years, the Parliament and the Supreme Court could not start the All India Judicial Service. Will the judicial system be transformed after the Goddess of Justice opens her eyes?
No mention of Goddess of Justice in law books
There is mention of the national animal, bird and flower etc. in law books, but there is no mention of the statue of the Goddess of Justice in the Constitution and the law. The form of the Goddess of Justice, which was kept as a decoration, was changed as per the wishes of the judges. But to improve the judicial system, it is necessary to make judges accountable along with changing laws and procedures. English language, feudal system, summer holidays and the custom of dates for the general public are being determined by the colonial legacy. Will the opening of the eyes of the Goddess of Justice strengthen the judicial infrastructure and improve the collegium system?
Need to adopt Indian Symbols
When it comes to freedom from colonial symbols, then instead of mixing and changing them, there is a need to adopt Indian symbols. In the scriptures, Shanidev is considered the god of justice. Ramayana, Mahabharata and Kautilya's Arthashastra have detailed descriptions of high ideals for judges. In Indian history, King Vikramaditya is also remembered the most for justice. Even thousands of years later, the mark of both truth and courage was visible on those who sat on his throne. In Indian tradition, justice is considered ideal in the form of Lord Ram as a king. Because of his dedication towards the public and the discipline of Rajdharma, Ram's character is depicted in the Indian Constitution.
If judges follow his ideals, then they will have to take a pledge to stay away from nepotism along with connecting with the general public. Without going into history, in modern times, by taking inspiration from the moral ideals of Premchand’s story Panch Parmashwar, judges can provide timely and correct justice to the common people.