Why Kannagi Should Replace Lady Justice : Justice Markandey Katju's Perspective

Amalendu Upadhyaya
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Supreme Court's New Statue of Lady Justice: Without Blindfold, Embracing Truth and Constitution

Lady Justice Without Blindfold: Symbolizing a New Era of Justice

The Symbolic Shift: Constitution in Hand, Sword Replaced

On October 17th, Chief Justice Chandrachud unveiled a new Lady Justice statue at the Supreme Court, replacing the traditional blindfold with open eyes and the sword with the Indian Constitution. This change emphasizes that the law should not be blind, highlighting the importance of transparency and righteousness in Indian justice. Justice Markandey Katju proposes replacing it with the iconic Tamil figure Kannagi, symbolizing fiery justice.

Replacing statue of Lady Justice

Justice Markandey Katju

The Chief Justice of India, Justice Chandrachud, on Thursday, 17th October, unveiled a new statue of Lady Justice in the Supreme Court Judges Library, one without a blindfold, and with a copy of the Constitution instead of a sword in her hand.

The Indian Constitution has become a scarecrow. So carrying the Constitution in one's hand is like carrying a scarecrow

In my opinion it would have been better to have replaced the iconic Lady Justice statue with a statue of Kannagi ( ( which also stands on Marina beach in Chennai ), the character in the monumental Tamil work Silappathihaaram of the great poet Ilango, who is the fiery embodiment of righteousness.

This courageous woman dared to challenge the Pandya King's verdict, boldly addressing him as 'தேà®°ா மன்னா' (Oh, indecisive king!)—a monarch whose flawed judgment ( of sentencing her innocent husband  Kovalan to death ) sealed her husband's fate, and as a reaction made her burn the entire city of Madurai.

 Kannagi's unyielding pursuit of justice, her refusal to accept injustice, and her iconic status in Tamil literature makes her an apt symbol of justice for our times.

We should swap the statue of the Lady Justice which CJI Chandrachud has installed for that of a statue of Kannagi, whose fiery spirit will send a powerful message that injustice will not be tolerated in India.

(Justice Katju is a retired judge of the Supreme Court ofndia. These are his personal views)

 

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