(Reopens DEL49)

Meanwhile, VHP leader Ashok Singhal and yoga guru Ramdev welcomed the execution of Guru, though both expressed the opinion that the action came after an inordinate delay. "The government must not think that it has done the nation a favour by punishing a person guilty of an audacious act," Ramdev told reporters at Allahabad. Addressing another press conference, Singhal said, "it (the hanging of Guru) should have taken place long ago." Union Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal, who was in Kanpur, said, "The Centre has a zero tolerance against terrorism. Law has taken its course. A strong message has been served that we will not tolerate terrorism at any cost." National general secretary of Samajwadi Party R P Kushwaha said, "There is no religion of terrorists. He should have been hanged much earlier but better late than never."