IN PHOTOS: People of Plachimada ask UN to drop Coca-Cola as COP27 sponsor

The Plachimada Anti-Coca-Cola Struggle Committee has sent a letter of protest to the United Nations, asking it to remove the Coca-Cola Company as the official sponsor of COP27 in Egypt. Here, leaders of various countries are seen at Sharm El-Sheikh, where the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is being held. Photo: iStock

People in Plachimada in Kerala’s Palakkad district have also been on a ‘satyagraha’ for 88 days now. They are demanding compensation for the damages they suffered due to the bottling plant set up by Coca-Cola over 20 years ago. Here, a group of protestors stand in front of the ‘pandal’ or tent in front of the former bottling plant, where the satyagraha is being held. Photo: Subramanian Naduvalath

“The satyagraha was inaugurated August 15 by Kudankulam anti-nuclear plant activist, SP Udayakumar. Every day, one activist sits on satyagraha from 8 am to 6 pm,” KV Biju, national coordinator, Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh, who is also convenor of the Plachimada anti-Coca-Cola Struggle Committee, told Down To Earth. Here, Biju ends his satyagraha by drinking water. Photo: Subramanian Naduvalath

The satyagrahis want the ruling Left Democratic Front government in Kerala to fulfil its promise in its 2016 election manifesto to provide compensation to the victims. Here, activist Medha Patkar addresses the satyagraha on its 50th day. Photo: Subramanian Naduvalath

The Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd, Coca-Cola’s Indian subsidiary, had set up a plant that manufactured soft drinks in Plachimada village of Palakkad district in 2000. The plant was closed in 2004 following protests by local Adivasi residents who said it had caused the village land to become barren, contaminated its water and violated rules and acts. The plant remained closed till May 2021.