Kolkata, March 12 (IANS): The principal of a B.Ed college in West Bengal was arrested on Thursday for allegedly making racial slur on a girl student and slapping a teacher who protested against the comment.

Kalyani Sahoo, the principal of Nandalal Ghosh B.Ed College at Bhatpara of 24 Parganas (North) district, was taken into custody by the police after students and teachers began an intense protest against her behaviour, resulting in soaring tension.

The trouble started over a final semester student's allegation that she was not being given the marksheet by the college despite clearing all her dues and producing the receipts.

On Wednesday, when she went to Sahoo's room with her complaint, the principal allegedly took pot shots referring to her caste.

A lecturer Shanta Moulik then went to Sahoo's chamber and backed the student's statement that she had cleared all her dues and so there was no ground to withhold her marksheet.

Moulik alleged that the principal then slapped her hard.

"This is not the first time that our principal misbehaved with the girl, who comes from a financially weak background. But despite that she has not kept any college fees pending. But the college is dilly-dallying against issuing her the marksheet," said Moulik.

On Thursday, the students and teachers began a joint protest against the principal. They staged an angry demonstration outside the college, following which personnel from Bhatpara police station arrived at the college and detained the principal. She was later arrested.

A police picket has been posted at the college.

Sahoo, however, refused to make any comment.