The correct option is (b).
Explanation
A Constitution serves as the fundamental law of a land, outlining the structure of government and the rights of citizens. However, the presence of a Constitution does not automatically classify a nation as a democracy, as the nature of the polity depends on the specific provisions and the actual practice of governance.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Assertion (A) is Correct: A Constitution is a legal document that establishes the framework of the state. This framework can be democratic, monarchical, or authoritarian. Many non-democratic countries possess constitutions that legitimize the rule of a single party or a dictator. Thus, the mere existence of a written constitution is not proof of a democratic system.
- Reason (R) is Correct: The Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949. This date is explicitly mentioned in the Preamble. While some provisions came into force immediately on this date, the Constitution came into full effect on January 26, 1950.
- Justification for Option (b): While both statements are factually true, the specific historical date of the Indian Constitution's adoption (Reason) provides no logical explanation for the general political theory that a constitution does not guarantee democracy (Assertion). The two statements are unrelated in a causal sense.
Key Takeaway:
While almost all modern democracies possess a constitution, the possession of a constitution does not inherently make a country a democracy; the content of the constitution and adherence to democratic principles determine the nature of the state.