MUMBAI: Hindutva icon and freedom fighter Veer Savarkar's family is reportedly upset with Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's proclamation that the former had pleaded to the Britishers to be freed from prison and asked for forgiveness for his activities.

Ranjeet Savarkar who is the grand nephew of Veer Savarkar, has filed a police complaint against the Congress scion for allegedly making a "false statement" about the iconic Hindutva leader.

''Rahul Gandhi, while addressing an election rally, had alleged that Veer Savarkar had apologised to the Britishers to be released from jail. It's false. Savarkar ji was jailed for 27 years by the Britishers. I've filed a complaint against him for defaming Savarkar ji,'' Ranjeet Savarkar told the news agency ANI.

Worth mention here the complaint against Rahul Gandhi was filed at Mumbai's Shivaji Park police station. Ranjeet mentioned in his complaint that Rahul Gandhi's remark that Vinayak Damodar Savarkar  who is better known as Veer Savarkar had apologized to the Britishers and pleaded to them in writing to be freed from lockup.

It is noted that Veer Savarkar is usually believed to have popularized the term "Hindutva".

Taking a dig at BJP-led NDA government and the Centre, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had on Saturday alleged that women in the nation were now frightened of coming out fearing attacks. Rahul Gandhi also alleged that freedom fighter Veer Savarkar, who is worshipped by the saffron BJP party as an icon of patriotism, wrote a letter to the British Government to free him when leaders like Mahatma Gandhi were in jail.