New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday unveiled the new flag and insignia of the Supreme Court of India to commemorate its 75th anniversary. The ceremony took place during the valedictory session of the National Conference of District Judiciary, attended by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal.
The newly designed flag and insignia, created by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) New Delhi, symbolize the core values of justice and democracy. The flag prominently features the Ashok Chakra, the iconic Supreme Court building, and a book representing the Constitution. The insignia incorporates the Court’s motto, a phrase from the Mahabharata meaning "Where there is Dharma, there is victory."
In her address, President Murmu praised the Supreme Court for its role as a guardian of justice in the world's largest democracy. She acknowledged the Court’s significant contributions over the past 75 years and its dedication to upholding India's jurisprudence.
President Murmu also addressed the issue of justice delays, coining the term "black coat syndrome" to describe the anxiety experienced by ordinary citizens in court settings. She underscored the importance of timely justice and welcomed recent judicial reforms, including the Supreme Court's provision for bail under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) as a positive step forward.
Highlighting the challenge of court case pendency, President Murmu called for a cultural shift away from frequent adjournments to expedite justice. She stressed that judges must protect justice and that all stakeholders need to work towards resolving the issue of case backlog.
The President also noted the increased representation of women in the judiciary and expressed support for this positive change. She urged judicial officers to uphold high standards of impartiality and truth, drawing from the moral lessons in Munshi Premchand’s story "Parameshwar."
The event concluded with President Murmu reiterating the judiciary's moral responsibility to uphold justice, reflecting on the Supreme Court’s ongoing efforts to enhance public trust and efficiency within the legal system.