New Delhi, July 23 - Maintaining that homosexuality is against Indian culture, religious leaders at a meting here passed a resolution Thursday opposing the Delhi High Court judgement decriminalising gay sex.

In the resolution they passed at their meeting here, the religious leaders from all faiths said that homosexuality is a deviation from normal laws of nature and is not accepted in any religion.

They said they will forward the resolution to the president, vice president and prime minister and request them to 'protect our rich heritage and culture'.

Acharya Sadhvi Sadhna, chairperson of World Fellowship of Religions, said: 'The judgement passed by the high court is against Indian culture. Homosexuality is not allowed by Indian culture. Foreigners want their children to follow our culture and traditions, and now we are deviating away from our rich culture. India is a leader of religions and we should not allow this to happen. The Jain religion does not allow homosexuality.'

The religious leaders believe that legalization of gay sex is due to the influence of Western culture.

Maha Mantra Das of the Hare Krishna Mission said: 'We are upset since this judgement came. Our Vedas tell us to follow our culture and traditions, but now why are we moving away from their teachings? A homosexual person needs a psychiatrist and they should be cured of the disease. They should follow yoga and should do pranayam.'

'Homosexuals cannot donate blood or organs, whereas a normal person can.