Q Manivannan, an Indian doctoral student from Tamil Nadu who arrived in Scotland on a student visa just four years ago, has turned his local election victory into a broader issue of immigration, identity, and representation in British politics. He identifies as non-binary and claims to represent diversity in power. Q Manivannan is one of the newest members of the Scottish Parliament (Holyrood).
Q Manivannan: Doctoral student Manivannan was elected to the Scottish Parliament from the Scottish Greens’ Edinburgh and Lothians East regional list. Standing surrounded by her supporters, Manivannan said, “I am a transgender Tamil immigrant. To some in this country, I am everything that the haters hate, and I stand here today with utmost caution as your MSP (Member of the Scottish Parliament). His election has been criticised by anti-immigration voices over rules that allow some foreign nationals living in Scotland to stand for election.
Q Manivannan: Candidacy made possible under rule change
Being a Commonwealth citizen was made possible under a rule change that makes those on short-term visas or with permanent residence eligible to stand for election in Scotland. Migration Watch, which campaigns to curb immigration, said politicians should end the automatic voting rights of Commonwealth citizens in British elections and the ability of non-British citizens to stand for election.
Scottish Greens with Manivannan
Gillian Mackay, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, said the party would support Manivannan in processing a new visa application. The Greens said the process would have to be completed during the parliamentary session. Manivannan’s election leaflet describes her as a PhD student in politics, an arts activist, co-convenor of the Scottish Green Party’s Palestine solidarity group, and a former UN health worker.
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Edited by: Bhoomi Goyal
