It’s been a week since the sisters from the Kuravilangad Convent started protesting near the Kochi High Court demanding the arrest of the Jalandhar Bishop, Franco Mulakkal, who is accused of raping a nun, who also happens to be their colleague.  The protest has received support from different corners of the society including activists, artists and politicians.

But, at a time like this, Malayalam film actor Mohanlal on Saturday was seen snapping at a news reporter who asked the actor his opinion on the nuns protest.  The incident took place when Mohanlal arrived at Wellington Island in Kochi for some flood relief activities organised by the ViswaSanthi Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation run by the actor.

When a reporter asked him his opinion on the protests, an irritated Mohanlal asked, “Aren’t you ashamed to ask unnecessary questions like this? When I’m saying something nice, you’re asking me about this. What should the nuns do? What is the relation between this and that?”

On saying this, the actor stopped addressing the media and walked away.

Actor Mohanlal is also the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), which was under heavy criticism recently for reinstating actor Dileep, who is an accused in the rape and assault case of an actor.

Following the reinstatement of the actor, several prominent members, who are also part of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) stepped down from AMMA.

Members of the WCC had, on Wednesday, put out a statement pledging their support to the protesting nuns. In their statement, WCC had condemned Poonjar MLA PC George who has slandered survivors of sexual assault time and again, and demanded swift action against him.

“WCC joins the historical protest by the nuns against injustice and misogyny. This is a time when we are witnessing more women who are fearless, invincible and are determined to rise. The time of silence is over!” the statement read.