Non-Binary Indian National on Student Visa Elected to Scottish Parliament

Q Manivannan, a non-binary Indian citizen and former PhD student from Tamil Nadu, has been elected as a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Edinburgh & Lothians East constituency, running on the Scottish Green Party ticket. Manivannan, who uses they/them pronouns, is one of the first two transgender individuals ever elected to Holyrood and is currently in the UK on a student visa allowing limited part-time work. They studied at the University of St Andrews after completing a degree at OP Jindal Global University in India.

The election has ignited debate over eligibility rules, after the Scottish government last year changed regulations to allow non-UK citizens with any form of valid leave to remain, including short-term student visas, to stand for election. Previously, indefinite leave to remain (ILR) was required. Manivannan is not eligible for full-time employment under current visa rules but will now receive an MSP's annual salary of £77,000. They are crowdfunding £2,089 to apply for a graduate visa to remain in the UK for an additional three years.

Migration Watch, a UK immigration watchdog, criticized the election, calling attention to Manivannan's foreign nationality and advocacy positions, including support for Palestinian rights and comments related to Israeli hostage posters. A Scottish Greens spokesperson confirmed Manivannan holds a valid visa and is a Commonwealth citizen, stating they meet all legal requirements to serve. The UK Home Office does not prohibit student visa holders from engaging in political office.

Manivannan has stated their background as a lower-caste Tamil immigrant informs their political views, drawing parallels between Tamil Nadu's resistance politics and Scotland's independence movement. They joined the Greens in part due to the party's stance on international issues, including Palestine. The Scottish Parliament is expected to convene next week, where newly elected members will be formally seated.