Tue Sep 02 08:15:38 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a rewrite as a news article:

**Summary:**

The article details a recent ban on American beverages at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab, India, in response to newly imposed tariffs by the U.S. President. This action echoes a similar ban from 2003 when Anna University in Tamil Nadu prohibited Pepsi and Coca-Cola on its campus due to concerns about pesticide content. The 2003 incident involved government investigations, court cases, and public health concerns. The move also sparked similar bans from other universities across Tamil Nadu, court cases and political rallies. While the reasons for the bans differ, both incidents reflect a sense of resistance and a push for “Swadeshi” (domestic goods) over foreign products.

**News Article:**

**Indian University Bans American Drinks in Tariff Protest, Echoing Past Health Concerns**

**CHENNAI, India – September 2, 2025** – Amid escalating trade tensions between India and the United States, Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab has banned American beverages from its campus, citing President Trump’s recently implemented 25% tariffs on Indian goods. The move, announced on social media by LPU’s founder-Chancellor Ashok Kumar Mittal, is being framed as a “Swadeshi 2.0” initiative, signaling India’s refusal to succumb to perceived unfair trade practices.

“Today, in direct response to Trump’s tariffs, LPU has banned American beverages on campus, giving a clarion call for Swadeshi 2.0,” Mittal stated in his online post. “The message is clear. India will not bow down to any unfair tactics of the United States.”

This action evokes a similar ban imposed by Anna University in Tamil Nadu over two decades ago. In August 2003, the state university banned Pepsi and Coca-Cola from its campus canteens following allegations of high levels of pesticides in the drinks.

Reports from The Hindu archives show that Anna University’s then-Vice-Chancellor E. Balagurusamy banned the beverages “considering the welfare of students and employees.” This decision coincided with a parliamentary committee’s announcement to ban soft drinks manufactured by Pepsi and Coca-Cola from Parliament. The university even established a fresh juice stall in place of the banned beverages.

The 2003 ban triggered a wider response. Then-Chief Minister Jayalalithaa ordered an investigation into the pesticide levels in the beverages, leading to similar bans at other universities across Tamil Nadu, including Annamalai University. The Madras High Court also took up the issue, admitting a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking greater transparency on the contents of these drinks.

The 2003 controversy even fueled political activism, with the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) organizing promotional campaigns for tender coconut water as a healthy alternative to multinational soft drinks.

While the current ban at LPU is motivated by trade disputes, the historical precedent set by Anna University highlights a complex relationship between Indian consumers and multinational beverage companies, raising questions about health, economic sovereignty, and consumer rights. It remains to be seen whether other Indian institutions will follow LPU’s lead in boycotting American products as the trade dispute unfolds.

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