TENERIFE, CANARY ISLANDS, November 3, 2013 (By Lawrence Ylenia, La Opinion): The Adeje City Council has approved the transfer of a plot of government property measuring 7,400 square meters to the Hindu Cultural Center to build a new temple and leisure facilities. The local socialist government decision has triggered criticism from the political opposition which does not look favorably on giving away public land for free. The spokesman for the Partido Popular, Andres Montiel, stresses that they are not against the Hindu community, “but against transferring municipal parcels free of charge.” He claims that the land on which the Cultural Center facility will be built is worth more than four million dollars, and is located in a tourist area. His party is ready to support the deal only if the city receives some kind of monetary compensation from the Hindu organization or if they build something that will benefit the entire community, because “we do not view the intended project as required civic infrastructure.”
In response Carlos Mirpuri points out that members of his organization participate in the initiatives carried out in town. He stressed that the important thing is that the future construction will help the local economy and “give a place for our children to meet and make sure they don’t lose their culture.” “Adeje is multicultural and since land has been given to other entities, why not us, who’ve been waiting for a parcel for more than 10 years?” he asks.