Consider the following Assertion and Reason:
Assertion (A): The Supreme Court can invalidate a Constitutional Amendment violating Fundamental Rights even if it does not affect the Basic Structure.
Reason (R): Fundamental Rights are superior to all other constitutional provisions.
Which of the following is correct with respect to the above?
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Defective question. The Assertion is false: after Kesavananda Bharati (1973), a constitutional amendment can be struck down only if it damages the Basic Structure — not merely because it affects a Fundamental Right. The Reason is also wrong as worded — Fundamental Rights are not 'superior to all other constitutional provisions'; Parliament can amend them under Article 368, subject only to the Basic Structure limit. With both the Assertion and the Reason false and no 'both false' option available, the item is defective; (D) is the least-wrong choice because it at least marks the Assertion as incorrect.