Which mechanism in a democratic country puts a limit on the powers of the government?

Correct option is D

Correct Answer: (D) People asserting their rights
Explanation:
→ In a democracy, sovereignty lies with the citizens; the ultimate check on state power is people asserting their rights through constitutional, legal, and public channels.
→ When citizens are aware of their Fundamental Rights and actively defend them against state overreach, the government is legally and politically constrained.
→ Public assertions, including legal challenges, peaceful protests, and public debates, ensure that the government operates within the boundaries of the Rule of Law.
→ This active civic engagement prevents a democratically elected government from turning authoritarian between election cycles.
Information Booster:
→ The Indian Constitution guarantees Fundamental Rights under Part III (Articles 12 to 35) as a primary shield against arbitrary state action.
→ Article 32 (Right to Constitutional Remedies) allows citizens to approach the Supreme Court directly if their rights are violated.
→ B.R. Ambedkar termed Article 32 as the "Heart and Soul" of the Indian Constitution.
→ The judiciary acts as the guardian and protector of these rights, using judicial review to strike down unconstitutional government actions.
→ Public interest litigations (PILs) have historically served as a powerful tool for citizens to assert their collective rights.