SCBA objects to unilateral changes to Supreme Court emblem and lady justice statue, proposed museum

Executive Committee (EC) of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has passed a unanimous resolution objecting to the changes made to the statue of Lady Justice and the top court's emblem without consultation with the bar..The EC headed by president Kapil Sibal expressed its displeasure with the "unilateral" changes made by the apex court administration led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud. ."It is observed by the Executive Committee of Supreme Court Bar Association that recently some radical changes have been brought in by the Supreme Court unilaterally like change of its emblem, change in the statue of Lady Justice without consultation with the Bar. 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," the resolution passed by SCBA on October 22 said.The bar body said that it is 'clueless' as regards the rationale behind these changes..Earlier last month, President Droupadi Murmu had unveiled the new flag and insignia of the Supreme Court at the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary in New Delhi.The newly unveiled flag features symbols central to India's legal and cultural heritage: the Ashoka Chakra, the Supreme Court building, and the Constitution of India. The new Supreme Court flag is blue in colour. The insignia has ‘Supreme Court of India’ and ‘Yato Dharmastato Jayah’ (in Devanagari script) inscribed on it.CJI Chandrachud had also unveiled the ‘new lady justice’ statue in the Supreme Court premises that replaced the ‘original lady justice’. The new statue is clothed in a saree, has shed the blindfold and holds scales on one hand and the Indian Constitution on the other..SCBA in its resolution also took exception to a museum being proposed in the erstwhile Judges' Library, instead of a cafe and library as was requested by the bar. ."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," the resolution said. .The resolution made it clear that the bar body is unanimously opposed to the proposed museum in the high security zone of the Court and reiterated its demand for a library and a cafe cum lounge for lawyers.