The correct option is (b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
Explanation
The Parliament of India serves as the central legislative body, embodying the sovereign will of the people through a system of elected representation.
Assertion (A): Correct
The Parliament is described as an expression of the faith that the people have in the principles of democracy. This is because it is constituted through elections based on Universal Adult Suffrage, ensuring that it represents the voice and will of the citizenry. It is the supreme forum where public issues are debated and laws are made, reflecting the democratic ethos of the nation.
Reason (R): Correct
The Parliament is indeed vested with the power to amend the Constitution under Article 368. This constituent power allows it to adjust the fundamental law of the land to changing needs, subject to the 'Basic Structure' doctrine.
Reasoning for Option (b):
While both statements are factually correct, the Reason does not explain the Assertion. The Parliament is an expression of faith in democracy primarily because of its representative character (how it is formed via elections), not because it possesses the specific power to amend the Constitution. The amending power is a function granted to the Parliament because it represents the people, but the power itself does not define the democratic faith placed in it.
Key Takeaway:
The Parliament's status as the expression of democratic faith is derived from its representative nature (elections), whereas the power to amend the Constitution is a specific constituent power vested in it by Article 368.