As the first Sikh to be elected to the Scottish Parliament, I take my responsibility to stand up for ethnic minority communities very seriously.
It's my job to be a champion for ethnic minority communities at Holyrood.
That's why I have urged the SNP Government to intervene and stop the closure of the Milan Centre, a vital resource for elderly and vulnerable people from ethnic minority backgrounds.
The Kirkintilloch-based centre, which provides day care services for dozens of elderly people, has been earmarked for closure by East Dunbartonshire Council.
That would be a devastating blow for many people within ethnic minority communities and their families.
From visiting the centre previously and speaking to residents and families, I know just how important it is to people's lives. It is a vital, lifeline service.
A grassroots petition to halt the closure has already gained 1,500 responses. That shows that the Milan Centre is a much-loved and incredibly valuable resource that improves the lives of vulnerable and elderly people.
On Monday, I joined a protest outside the East Dunbartonshire council HQ aimed at stopping the closure. I helped to organise the public demonstration alongside Age Scotland and the East Dunbartonshire Ethnic Minority Forum.
I have also started a campaign to encourage the council to keep the centre open or the SNP Government to intervene to provide extra funding and prevent its closure.
I have written to the SNP Government urging them to provide extra funding.
I've also submitted a motion to the Scottish Parliament raising concerns about the potential closure.
I hope the council and the government will consider carefully how essential this centre is for people from minority backgrounds who have distinct cultural and religious beliefs.
The Milan Centre provides unique support that is not available anywhere else locally for ethnic minority communities.
It is a one-of-a-kind resource that should be expanding, not ending.
I'll keep fighting to convince the government and council to keep the Milan Centre open.
Please join my campaign and let's make the voices of ethnic minority communities heard at Holyrood.
