The word ‘arbitrary’ has been used earlier in this book and you’ve read what the word means in the Glossary of Chapter 1. The word ‘sedition’ has been included in the Glossary of this chapter. Read the Glossary descriptions of both words and then answer the following questions:
(i) State one reason why you think the Sedition Act of 1870 was arbitrary? In what ways does the Sedition Act of 1870 contradict the rule of law?
Sedition Act of 1870 was arbitrary because this included the mood of the British government. This act does not made any justice with the public, it was upon them to whom to arrest and to whom to free.
Sedition Act of 1870 contradict the rule of law in the following ways:
(a) Under this rule, people were arrested without being told the reason for their arrest.
(b) This was an example of use of powers by the British as it authorized them to arrest the person without any evidence who was possibly seen as a rebellion.