A STRUGGLE against Coca-Cola and the exploitation of scarce groundwater resources for its sake, is gaining momentum in Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu. On April 28, more than 7,000 people, a substantial number of them women, defied a ban order to participate in a rally against Sakthi Sugar Mills at Padamathur, about 20 km from the district headquarters town. The sugar mill has entered into a contract with the transnational soft drink maker to prepare and package some of its products using groundwater resources, 75,000 litres a day according to the mill authorities. The protesters raised slogans against attempts to appropriate a common natural resource and deprive the people access to it. Leaders of the movement explained the implications of the mill's deal for the local community with respect to its irrigation and drinking water needs.