Rethinking Justice and the ‘New’ Justitia

• The statue of Justitia in the Supreme Court of India symbolizes equality and impartiality.

• The figure is part of colonial iconography, similar to the blindfolded figure of justice.

• Justitia has been depicted in ancient Roman, Greek, and Egyptian cultures.

• A blindfold over Justitia’s eyes in the 15th century initially implying Justice’s inability to see justice, but transformed into a positive emblem of equality.

• The statue’s interpretation as an open-eyed justice relates to equality, impartiality, and transparency.

• The mural, made of porcelain marble tiles, depicts Gandhi, the Dhamma Chakra, and the goddess of justice.

• The placement of new statues and emblems should be contextualized in relation to caste, gender, and religion-based inclusions and exclusions.

• A careful inclusive approach to law and justice representation in visual art is needed.

• Justice should be presented as a form of protest, resistance, lived experience, and struggle.