A fresh wave of youth activism has emerged on TikTok under the banner “Expose Jhole.” The trend, which calls out individuals seen as sycophants of senior politicians, comes in the wake of the Gen-Z protests that toppled the UML–Congress coalition government earlier this month.
Just weeks ago, TikTok users launched the “Nepobaby Trend,” which made senior leaders reluctant to appear in public. Building on that momentum, young creators now argue that party loyalists—or “Jhales”—must be held accountable for shielding corrupt leadership and blocking political change.
Captions, Songs, and Calls to Parents
TikTok videos in this campaign often carry captions such as “Mouth Open, Brain Close Jhole,” accompanied by images of flag-bearing party cadres. Comment sections are flooded with calls to “Expose Jhole.”
Some creators have gone further, urging viewers to convince their parents to stop supporting traditional leaders. In one viral video, a user under the handle MBC Vlogs said, “If your father and mother are still carrying party flags and praising leaders, our future will be destroyed.” Another user launched the trend with a rap track titled “Jhole Gang,” featuring footage of UML leader Mohan Basnet and his supporters.
Senior Leaders and Close Aides Under Spotlight
Among those most frequently targeted is UML leader Mahesh Basnet, whose photos have been widely circulated with satirical captions. Similarly, images of Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba, UML chair KP Sharma Oli, Maoist chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and Maoist leader Barshaman Pun have appeared in the trend.
Party cadres pictured alongside senior leaders are a particular focus of TikTok creators, who overlay videos with songs such as “Money, Money, Money.” Influencers like Pallav Regmi have urged followers to continue the campaign, reminding them that the “Nepobaby Trend” helped spark political change and that exposing “Jhales” could do the same.
Youth Anger Over Stalled Leadership Transition
Observers say the campaign reflects growing frustration among young people over the refusal of political parties to embrace generational change. Dipesh Ghimire, a sociology lecturer at Tribhuvan University, said the trend is rooted in anger at leaders who failed to reform even after protests and the loss of young lives.
“The expectation from the recent movement was leadership transition. But old leaders refuse to let go, and in some parties the issue cannot even be raised,” Ghimire noted.
He added that the campaign is also a counter-reaction to party cadres who have posted videos proudly declaring themselves “Jhales.” With society now awakened, Ghimire argued, Nepal’s established parties have little choice but to reform or face mounting public rejection.
