Questions have been raised over whether Indian international student Q Manivannan, who has been elected to the Scottish Parliament, will be able to serve a full term amid scrutiny of their visa status.
Manivannan, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, was elected as a Scottish Green Party MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians East on a platform centred on “kinder politics” and social justice.
Describing themselves as a “queer Tamil immigrant”, Manivannan won a seat under Scotland’s proportional representation system, which allocates regional list seats rather than relying on individual constituency contests.
In their campaign pitch, Manivannan said they aimed to bring “a politics of care and compassion” to Holyrood and champion “radical change” for marginalised and working-class communities.
“As a queer Tamil immigrant, I am standing to be an MSP to bring a politics of care and compassion to Holyrood, to fight for the radical change our working-class and marginalised communities need.”
They added that their politics was rooted in inclusion and solidarity. “So, I am passionate about more caring politics rooted in the working class, the queer, and the solidarity; politics that includes that listens to people,” Manivannan said.
Manivannan highlighted experience as a community organiser, teacher and policy expert, including work with the United Nations, trade unions, Scottish human rights groups and voluntary organisations.
They said this background informed their focus on disability inclusion, accessible urban design, feminist city planning and broader human rights work.
“I know what it means to stand up for justice and make change happen.”
The newly elected MSP also pledged to bring “brave, new energy to Holyrood” and advocate for immigrants, asylum seekers, diaspora communities, and what they described as oppressed groups, including Palestinians.
“Foremost, I would be the voice for my constituents across Edinburgh and Lothians East, speaking up for our local communities and fighting for the change we want and need,” they said.
The Scottish Greens have welcomed Manivannan’s election as part of a strong result for the party, noting Scotland’s electoral rules allow people with the right to live in the country to stand for parliament, including visa holders and “new Scots”.
A party spokesperson confirmed Manivannan is currently in the UK on a student visa with the right to live and work, and said the party would support any necessary visa processes during the parliamentary term.
However, critics have questioned whether a student visa is compatible with serving a full term in office, with calls for clarity over eligibility and residency arrangements.
The Scottish Greens say they are confident any administrative issues can be resolved, pointing to pathways that may allow Manivannan to continue in office.
Manivannan’s election comes amid broader political shifts in Scotland, with the Greens gaining ground in recent regional contests while Labour suffered losses in several areas.
Manivannan is expected to take their seat in Holyrood in the coming weeks, where they say they will focus on building an inclusive, solidarity-driven approach to politics.
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