After Jallikattu, protests demanding ban on Coke, Pepsi erupt in Tamil Nadu

As protest against ban on Jallikattu and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) intensifies in Tamil Nadu, protesters now want cold drinks manufactured by multi-national companies to be banned as well.

While protesting against the Jallikattu ban, many said farmers' welfare is next on their agenda and MNCs such as Coca Cola and Pepsi should be banned as the latter are robbing the farmers of their water sources to feed their factories.

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In Coimbatore, youth smashed bottles of cold drinks to protest against the MNCs. Some food joints and hotel chains have also joined the protest by refusing to serve Coke and Pepsi. The RHR Hotel, for instance, has put up a notice at its main counter that said: "We stopped serving Pepsi and Coke products at all our branches".

The notice at a hotel in Coimbatore.

Some protesters sought a ban on these cold drinks on the ground that they are hazardous to health. If it is not possible for the state government to ban them then at least their sale should be regulated in Tamil Nadu, protesters said.

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The Madras High Court had recently directed the Tamil Nadu Government to file an affidavit regarding steps taken by it to prevent suicides of farmers in the state.

Several farmers had committed suicide in the last few months following which a team of officials had visited Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts and held discussions with the affected families and the fellow villagers.

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