“In this instance of the fire-arms, the Asiatic has been most improperly bracketed with the native. The British Indian does not need any such restrictions as are imposed by the Bill on the natives regarding the carrying of fire-arms. The prominent race can remain so by preventing the native from arming himself. Is there a slightest vestige of justification for so preventing the British Indian?”
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A law that sweeps different situations into one category can wrong people by ignoring the particulars. The objection here is to the classification itself — being folded into a restriction never meant for you, with no chance to show why it doesn't fit. Challenging the category itself is the fight.
When to use it
- A whole department has its budget cut over one team's overspending, and its lead pushes back on the blanket penalty.
- A tenant with a spotless record challenges a building rule clearly written for problem residents.
- A student flagged by a plagiarism filter for a common phrase asks the teacher to look at the actual work.