Dr. Ekbal Bappukunju is a public health activist, a neurosurgeon, and an academic in Kerala, India. He was the vice-chancellor of the University of Kerala during the period 2000–2004.[1] He was a member of the Kerala State Planning Board from 1996 to 2000, during which he played a vital role in People's Plan Campaign, a decentralisation move by the Government of Kerala.[2]
He is currently the chairman of Kerala State Pollution Control Board.[3] He is also the convenor of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (Public Health Movement - India).[4]
He was the chairperson of the expert committee set up by the Government of Kerala to explore the possibility of setting up a new university structure of medical research and academics. The committee submitted its report on the proposed structure and functions of the university in April 2007.[5]
Ekbal is an activist of Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad and has held various offices of the organisation.
Ekbal is a follower of Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) from which he was expelled in 2004 by left-wing hardliners. The reason given was that accepting foreign funds for development activities was against party policy.[2] But, most believe that the expulsion was due to his criticisms of direction taken by the left movements, like in his speech at Kerala Social Forum.[6] This speech had kicked up a debate in left-leaning circles in Kerala.[7] Such reformist actions were not seen kindly by the conservative faction of the party.[8] His membership was later restored.