India, Dec. 20 -- Across States and at the Centre, lawmaking has been reduced to brute arithmetic: If you have the numbers, you ram the Bill through. Debate is optional. Deliberation is dispensable.

Karnataka's Hate Speech Bill fits neatly into this disturbing pattern. The Bill was passed amid BJP protests demanding a detailed discussion.

But this is not a morality play of a virtuous Opposition versus an authoritarian regime. It is a story of collective political irresponsibility.

The Opposition, the BJP, opposed the Bill largely for the sake of opposing it. The ruling party forced it through because it could. Both sides are performing roles they have perfected over decades: One heckles, the other steamrolls.

What we should be worried...