’84 riots, Gujarat should never happen again: PM

But the octogenarian has more to say. ‘‘Most people have forgotten about the 1984 Sikh riots,’’ he says, refusing to divulge his name. ‘‘Those who did it are now ministers,’’ he adds.

Accompanied by his wife Gursharan Kaur, the PM said that an atmosphere needed to be created where such incidents ‘‘do not take place again’’. He said all sections of society should work to help maintain peace and harmony in the country. He was felicitated by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee today.

In the gurdwara, 75-year-old Joginder Kaur and her daughter are barred by securitymen from entering the sanctum sanctorum. She remembers the 84 riots — how even the door knobs of her Inderpuri house were not spared — everything was looted. Although happy at the PM visiting the shrine, she adds: ‘‘If he is here as an ordinary bhakt, I welcome him. But if he is here as a PM then I don’t think I will care.’’

For young Vicky Narang, who owns a steel furnishing factory, the riots are a distant memory. He recalls how as a six-year-old he saw the neighbourhood gurdwara being ransacked. But he adds: ‘‘That was a long time ago.’’