Critics link the change to RSS ideology for numerous reasons, including an article published in Organiser, the RSS mouthpiece in August 2023, that called for changing the idol of the Lady Justice. The article titled “From Colonial to Eternal” wanted a change dipped in Hindutva tradition, quoting a different version of justice based on dharma, moral and ethical duties. The RSS mouthpiece called for a change over from the Western portrayal of justice symbolised by the Roman inspired blind-folded figure to the Bhartiya traditions, where the goddess of justice stands with eyes open, holding a Dharma Sashtra (book of law), embodying wisdom and righteousness.

Moreover, the chance is also viewed as a sequel to an earlier meeting of Prime Minister with the Chief Justice of India (CJI) in the Ganesh Chaturthi Puja at the official residence of CJI.

The change effected under the tenure of CJI Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, now signals that the law in the country is not blind and does not merely symbolize punishment. Traditionally, the blindfold suggested equality before the law, meaning the dispensation of justice should not be influenced by the status, wealth, or power of the parties. The sword historically symbolized authority and the capacity to punish justice. In a departure from colonial influences, like the replacement of the colonial-era penal code with the Bharatiyye Nyaya Sanhita, the New Lady Justice signifies that the law in the country sees everyone equally as mandated under the Constitution. The might of the Constitution, not of the sword, prevails in the justice delivery process. However, the scale of justice in the right hand has been retained, symbolizing a societal balance and the significance of careful consideration of facts and arguments from both sides before arriving at a verdict.

In September 2024, President Drroupadi Murmu unveiled the new flag and insignia of the Supreme Court to commemorate the 75th year of its establishment. Under CJI Chandrachud’s tenure, the Supreme Court began live-streaming proceedings of the Constitution Bench on YouTube and used artificial intelligence and natural language processing technology for live transcription of hearings of national importance. The judicial hearings in the NEET-UG matter and R.G.Kar Medical College and Hospital suo moto case generated huge public views. Chief Justice Chandrachud also ensured that all judgments/ orders/ directions of the Supreme Court, High Courts are recorded in the digitized National Judicial Grid for students, lawyers, researchers, judges and others in the pursuit of knowledge of law and justice.

So far so good, under the two-year long tenure of Justice Chandrachud that ends on November 10, 2024, people’s highest ever raised expectations from him for relief from continuing oppression/suppression, communal, divisive, religious polarizing by the fascistic RSS Pariwar union government and its ruled state governments, during the most difficult times in the republican India since Independence, people got no relief and the repression of minorities, women, Dalits, tribals and other vulnerable people continued unabated. Even otherwise, the Supreme Court continued as an Executive Court since 2014, while the RSS Pariwar union government, with judiciary being complicit continued to make a bonfire of the Constitution of India and its basic postulates of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. In the Ayodhya (Ram Janma Bhoomi-Babari Masjid) judgment, the Supreme Court accepted the importance of the Places of Worship (Protection) Act. But the district and subordinate courts continued to unsettle long settled places of worships subverting the Fraternity enshrined in the Constitution. The apex Court supported Election Commission of India (ECI) to subvert and rig the general elections 2924 and various state elections. The Supreme Court continued to be complicit in almost all anti-people actions of the RSS Pariwar government.

The top court’s ruling, “the bail is the rule and not the jail” even in UAPA, PMLA and other non-bailable draconian laws was used selectively under the watch of Justice Chandrachud. Continuing incarceration of Umar Khalid like prisoners implicated under trumped up charges is a case in point. People welcomed whole heartedly the quashing of electoral bonds as unconstitutional and illegal but allowing the thieves to get away with the ill-gotten money is yet another instance of the neglect of purported noble objectives symbolized in recently made over Lady Justitia statue. So is the case of targeted extra judicial bulldozer justice system introduced by the RSS Pariwar governments against Muslims and Christians. All along, judiciary has been complicit. So are the rampant hateful crimes committed against minorities where courts failed the Lady Justice symbolizing all the noble principles of justice. Demolitions of houses of minorities depriving them of their shelter and livelihood, mob lynching of Muslims and the silence of judiciary emboldened the Sangh Pariwar government in its design to serve the RSS agenda. There are legion of numerous examples where the judiciary from bottom to top failed the nation under the watch of CJI Chandrachud. Nevertheless, people should thank Justice Chandrachud for removing the blindfold from not just Lady Justitia but from all our eyes as well!