Mohammad Zaki of Lucknow saved a cow that fell into a well on Saturday
Amid outrage over a mob killing in Uttar Pradesh over rumours that a calf had been killed, a young Muslim man in state capital Lucknow has made news by saving a cow that had fallen into a well.
On Saturday, Mohammad Zaki was believed to be in the middle of his namaaz or prayers when he stopped because of the commotion over the cow.
When he saw the scared, bellowing animal, he volunteered his services for a rescue mission.
"I felt bad, what if the cow had broken a foot or hurt itself?" Zaki said.
The 20-year-old was lowered into the well with a strap attached to a crane.
When he reached the bottom of the 35-foot well, the animal was thrashing about and even hit Zaki twice. "I was afraid that it could kill me. Then I resolved that somehow I will help the animal, only then I will come up," he said.
He had to give the cow some reassuring pats before he could strap it firmly to the crane. Then he sat on the animal before being pulled up.
Many in the crowd were urged Zaki to send the cow up first, but he did not want to risk the animal falling on him.
Witnesses say many volunteered to go down the well for the cow but Zaki was most insistent.
For his efforts, Zaki received praise from the Imam or cleric of the local mosque. A top official also had a good word for him. "Hats off to the man...Long live communal amity in Lucknow," said Raj Shekhar, the district magistrate of Lucknow.
Zaki works as a house painter and an odd jobs man. His family says he loves animals and is also the first to offer help when anyone needs it.
The story has received wide attention days after a 52-year-old Muslim man was lynched by a mob in another part of Uttar Pradesh, over rumours that he had killed a calf and eaten beef.