Fiji-born Simita Kumar elected as Member of Scottish Parliament; Takes oath in Hindi & English
Fiji-born Simita Kumar has been elected as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Edinburgh South Western, with her oath-taking video drawing widespread attention online.
She is appointed as Minister for Equalities and International Development by John Ramsay Swinney, joining the ranks of the few Indo-Fijian women to enter British politics at parliamentary level.
"I took the oath in both English and Hindi to reflect my heritage. I also borrowed my mum’s saree which is similar to a kilt - both unstitched, long rectangular fabric that is draped. Secured (in my case) using a lot pins," Kumar shared the video on Instagram with a caption.
At Scottish Parliament elections 2026, Kumar won 11,727 votes to represent Edinburgh South Western for the Scottish National Party (SNP).
Kumar has recently become a sensation on social media, with a video clip showing her taking the official parliamentary oath in both English and Hindi after winning election.
In the video, Kumar oaths allegiance to King Charles III, a constitutional requirement for elected representatives in the United Kingdom before formally taking their parliamentary seats.
The clip went viral shortly after as many people saw it as a representation of diaspora representation and cultural pride.
Her election for the Scottish Parliament is seen as a major step forward for the Indo-Fijian and Pacific Islander communities in politics in the international arena.
Kumar's success was also acknowledged this morning in Fiji's Parliament; Speaker of Parliament Filimone Jitoko congratulated Fiji-origin women who are doing well overseas.
In Parliament, Jitoko recognised Kumar and UK MP Sureena Brackenridge, stating that their achievements were a source of pride for Fiji.
Jitoko said Kumar’s election to the Scottish Parliament as an ethnic minority was a result of her “fortitude and tenacity”, he said.
Kumar was born and raised in Suva, and is one of the first Fiji-born women to join a political party at this level in the United Kingdom, a first in the Pacific diaspora.
Simita Kumar is a graduate from Samabula Primary School and Dudley High School, and in 2005, she with her family migrated to Glasgow.
Prior to becoming a Member of Parliament, Kumar served in the health and public service sectors for both the NHS Lothian, Public Health Scotland, and children's charities.
She has advanced in her political career. She was elected as a councilor of the City of Edinburgh in 2022, making her the first person of colour to lead a political party group in the history of Edinburgh Council.
The attention that Kumar's oath has garnered from the video is not just because of her Fijian heritage, but because of the historical connection between Fiji and the British monarchy.
The Fiji Islands had been a British colony since 1874 and became an independent nation in 1970. Fiji has continued to be in the Commonwealth since independence, and the 1987 Constitution of Fiji established the role of the Queen for symbolic purposes in the nation's constitutional lives and ceremonies.
Despite residing outside Fiji for over 20 years, she admits she still has a passion for Fiji rugby, loves Fiji Day and has strong connections with family and friends in Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia.
Kumar has previously spoken to Fiji Times about the importance of being “born and bred in Fiji” as a “badge of honour,” while Fiji's community-based culture continues to influence her leadership and values.
Many are celebrating Kumar's election as a significant step towards Indo-Fijian and Pacific representation in international politics.
Kumar has also stated her desire to represent both Scotland and her Fijian nationality.
She told Fiji Times that she is still celebrating Fiji Day and singing the Fijian national anthem
“with emotion and pride” as she reflected on being the first ethnic minority woman to be elected into Edinburgh Council in 2022.
She added that her experience as someone born in Fiji shapes her strong support for Scottish independence.
Her triumph has been seen as part of a trend towards more representative leadership in British politics by political commentators in Fiji and the UK.
Kumar's trajectory from the classroom of Samabula to the chamber of the Scottish Parliament stands as a testament to the possibilities for many young Fijians in the diaspora, especially women and migrants from small island countries.
The video has been circulating among social media users in the diaspora, with a number of people expressing the hope that Kumar's accomplishment is encouraging young Pacific and Indo-Fijian migrants to believe that they have a seat at the table.
Fiji-born Simita Kumar has been elected as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Edinburgh South Western, with her oath-taking video drawing widespread attention online.She is appointed as Minister for Equalities and International Development by John Ramsay Swinney, joining the ranks of the...
Fiji-born Simita Kumar has been elected as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Edinburgh South Western, with her oath-taking video drawing widespread attention online.
She is appointed as Minister for Equalities and International Development by John Ramsay Swinney, joining the ranks of the few Indo-Fijian women to enter British politics at parliamentary level.
"I took the oath in both English and Hindi to reflect my heritage. I also borrowed my mum’s saree which is similar to a kilt - both unstitched, long rectangular fabric that is draped. Secured (in my case) using a lot pins," Kumar shared the video on Instagram with a caption.
At Scottish Parliament elections 2026, Kumar won 11,727 votes to represent Edinburgh South Western for the Scottish National Party (SNP).
Kumar has recently become a sensation on social media, with a video clip showing her taking the official parliamentary oath in both English and Hindi after winning election.
In the video, Kumar oaths allegiance to King Charles III, a constitutional requirement for elected representatives in the United Kingdom before formally taking their parliamentary seats.
The clip went viral shortly after as many people saw it as a representation of diaspora representation and cultural pride.
Her election for the Scottish Parliament is seen as a major step forward for the Indo-Fijian and Pacific Islander communities in politics in the international arena.
Kumar's success was also acknowledged this morning in Fiji's Parliament; Speaker of Parliament Filimone Jitoko congratulated Fiji-origin women who are doing well overseas.
In Parliament, Jitoko recognised Kumar and UK MP Sureena Brackenridge, stating that their achievements were a source of pride for Fiji.
Jitoko said Kumar’s election to the Scottish Parliament as an ethnic minority was a result of her “fortitude and tenacity”, he said.
Kumar was born and raised in Suva, and is one of the first Fiji-born women to join a political party at this level in the United Kingdom, a first in the Pacific diaspora.
Simita Kumar is a graduate from Samabula Primary School and Dudley High School, and in 2005, she with her family migrated to Glasgow.
Prior to becoming a Member of Parliament, Kumar served in the health and public service sectors for both the NHS Lothian, Public Health Scotland, and children's charities.
She has advanced in her political career. She was elected as a councilor of the City of Edinburgh in 2022, making her the first person of colour to lead a political party group in the history of Edinburgh Council.
The attention that Kumar's oath has garnered from the video is not just because of her Fijian heritage, but because of the historical connection between Fiji and the British monarchy.
The Fiji Islands had been a British colony since 1874 and became an independent nation in 1970. Fiji has continued to be in the Commonwealth since independence, and the 1987 Constitution of Fiji established the role of the Queen for symbolic purposes in the nation's constitutional lives and ceremonies.
Despite residing outside Fiji for over 20 years, she admits she still has a passion for Fiji rugby, loves Fiji Day and has strong connections with family and friends in Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia.
Kumar has previously spoken to Fiji Times about the importance of being “born and bred in Fiji” as a “badge of honour,” while Fiji's community-based culture continues to influence her leadership and values.
Many are celebrating Kumar's election as a significant step towards Indo-Fijian and Pacific representation in international politics.
Kumar has also stated her desire to represent both Scotland and her Fijian nationality.
She told Fiji Times that she is still celebrating Fiji Day and singing the Fijian national anthem
“with emotion and pride” as she reflected on being the first ethnic minority woman to be elected into Edinburgh Council in 2022.
She added that her experience as someone born in Fiji shapes her strong support for Scottish independence.
Her triumph has been seen as part of a trend towards more representative leadership in British politics by political commentators in Fiji and the UK.
Kumar's trajectory from the classroom of Samabula to the chamber of the Scottish Parliament stands as a testament to the possibilities for many young Fijians in the diaspora, especially women and migrants from small island countries.
The video has been circulating among social media users in the diaspora, with a number of people expressing the hope that Kumar's accomplishment is encouraging young Pacific and Indo-Fijian migrants to believe that they have a seat at the table.
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