Correct Option
The principle of separation of powers divides governmental authority into distinct branches: the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. This distribution prevents the concentration of excessive power in any single organ, thereby establishing a system of checks and balances. This framework is fundamental to a liberal democracy as it safeguards individual liberty, prevents the arbitrary exercise of state power, and upholds the rule of law. In India, the Supreme Court, in Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973), affirmed separation of powers as a basic feature of the Constitution, even though it is not explicitly mentioned.
Incorrect Options
Option (a): A committed judiciary implies allegiance to a particular ideology or the executive, which compromises its independence and impartiality. For the judiciary to effectively safeguard liberty, it must remain independent and neutral, upholding the Constitution and laws without external influence or bias.
Option (b): Centralization of powers concentrates authority within a single entity or a few hands. This is antithetical to the principles of liberty and democratic governance as it can lead to authoritarianism, reduce accountability, and suppress individual freedoms by limiting checks and balances and local autonomy.
Option (c): While an elected government is a cornerstone of democracy, its mere existence does not guarantee the safeguard of liberty. Without institutional mechanisms like separation of powers, an independent judiciary, and constitutional limits, an elected government can potentially infringe upon individual rights and liberties, leading to majoritarianism.