Samay Raina Reveals Kashmiri Muslims Helped His Family Escape; Says, “My Maternal Grandfather Was On The Hitlist”

Samay Raina shares his family’s Kashmiri Pandit exodus story, recalling loss, fear, and how Muslims helped them escape, just days after his ‘Kashmiri Pandit wisdom’ remark in Still Alive. The comedian opened up about the enduring trauma of the 1990 Kashmiri Pandit exodus, sharing deeply personal memories of displacement, loss, and survival. On a recent podcast, he revisited the topic, offering a more intimate account of his family’s experience, following his reference to “Kashmiri Pandit wisdom” in his stand-up special.

Samay Raina On How Exodus Impacted Kashmiri Pandits’ Future Generations

On the Dostcast podcast, Samay reflected on how the exodus impacted generations of Kashmiri Pandits. “It really affects you—you lose your entire childhood, your entire identity. All Kashmiri Pandits had to leave. Kashmiri Pandits don’t have a place that gives them a sense of belonging,” he said.

Speaking about the trauma that still lingers, he added, “People of my generation feel scared to even go back to Kashmir, to be honest. Our parents have a bittersweet relationship with it. When my mother went back after many years, she became very emotional, but when she saw that nothing was left, she cried. It became a painful memory for her.”

Samay Revealed His Maternal Grandfather Was Targeted

Raina revealed that his maternal grandfather, a well-known doctor in their village, was specifically targeted during the violence. “My grandfather was on the list to be killed because he was a very prominent doctor in the village. Back then, letters would be circulated saying who would be killed the next day,” he said.

He recalled the family’s fear. “My mother fainted when that letter came saying my grandfather would be killed. My grandmother fainted too.” While some Kashmiri Pandits chose to stay, hoping things would settle, many were killed. “A lot of Kashmiri Pandits said they would stay, and they were killed in very brutal ways,” he explained.

Samay highlighted the role played by local Kashmiri Muslims in saving his family. “My aunt was the brave one—she quietly went to the clinic where my grandfather worked. Luckily, he had so much goodwill that the Kashmiri Muslims there helped him and the family escape. They said nothing would happen to him because he had done so much for people,” he shared.

He noted that his grandfather often treated people for free, which fostered strong community bonds. “It was the Kashmiri Muslims who helped my grandfather get out of that situation,” he said. The family fled overnight, thinking it would be temporary. “We packed our belongings overnight—my grandparents, my mother, my aunt, the entire family left thinking we would return in two weeks. It’s been 25 years,” he added.

Samay Raina Compares Kashmiri Pandit Exodus To IGL Controversy

In his stand-up special Still Alive, Raina referenced the Kashmiri Pandit exodus in his discussion of survival. He explained that he chose to apologise after India’s Got Latent controversy because it was the wiser choice, drawing a parallel with the exodus. “You only fight when the fight is fair. When the fight is not fair, you f**k off from there. Kashmir Pandit wisdom.”

He framed this as a lesson in survival, saying, “We Pandits were only 5 percent in Kashmir. If we had taken up arms, my parents (if they chose to) could have fought for our motherland, but everyone would have died. I’m glad they chose to leave; at least we are alive, living, and rocking it.”

In the same special, Raina also addressed the fallout from India’s Got Latent controversy. These remarks, made during an episode, triggered widespread backlash and legal complaints.

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Also Read: Samay Raina Reveals OTT Plans Never Happened Due To IGL Controversy; Says, “Wanted To Do Shows With Deepak Kalaal, Puneet Superstar”

Akankshya Mukherjee

Akankshya Mukherjee is a dynamic and ambitious individual poised to make waves in the realm of Media and Communication. With a passion for creativity and a drive to contribute to forward-thinking organizations, Akankshya embodies adaptability and a hunger for learning. Having already garnered experience through involvement in various organizations, she has honed the skill of quickly adapting to new environments and challenges. She sees each opportunity as a chance for personal and professional growth, eagerly embracing roles in communications and content writing.